11 7 12 Writing Samples

7/31/2019 11 7 12 Writing Samples

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Portfolio

Creative and Professional Writing samples

Brittany Simmons


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Contents of Portfolio:

Written Statement

Spec Ad for Nizoral A-D

Memoir, More than a Gathering of Family

Certificate of Episcopal Consecration

Magazine Interview

Proposal

Mock Press Release


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I wrote my first story when I was in the 4th

grade. Little did I know it would be the event

that defined the rest of my life. Although I did not know much about the craft, I knew that it was

something I wanted to do; pen and paper were my best friends. As time passed, I realized that I

had a passion for writing.

Flash forward to now, after experiencing countless workshops in college, I have learned

that there are many ways to write.

In this portfolio, I wanted to not only display my improvement as a wordsmith, but also

show various ways in which one can communicate. Included are pieces that depict how I do so

creatively and professionally.

In terms of my creative side, I included a spec ad, a memoir, and a mock press release

written to display my progress in regards to being open minded to various forms of writing.

Professionally, I have included a certificate, a magazine interview, blog entry, and a

proposal which is dedicated to content and structure of a work.

I am currently interested in employment in the magazine industry in which I can exercise

my editing and writing skills to contribute to the success of a company-ultimately becoming the

most productive, efficient, and knowledgeable person in the field.


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Brittany Simmons

Nizoral A-D

SPEC AD

HEADLINE:

Youre sensitive about your hairShouldnt your dandruffshampoo be as well?

SUBHEAD:

The choice is yours.

COPY:

Nizoral A-D is a shampoo that is harsh on flaking and itching, but delicate on all types of hair.

Maintain your gorgeous hair by calling 1-800-962-5357 for a free sample.


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While I am sitting, watching everyone dance, I think about how my friends and their

families never have family gatherings.

It is during this very moment that I realize why these gatherings are so important for our

family. It is not all about dinner. It is about the celebration of my family: aunts, uncles, cousins,

and the like- coming together weekly to honor not only Grandpa and Granny, but to honor our

ancestors as well. The food is a representation of my ancestors struggles. Our ancestors

struggled to provide for our family just as my aunts, Granny, and I labor extensively to prepare

the main dishes. The desserts we eat symbolize the sweet smell of victory amongst our ancestors

after surviving numerous trials and tribulations.

When the sun finally decides to retire for the day, everyone decides to adjourn the

meeting. Grandpa and granny need rest. One by one, we say our good-byes and leave.

I hug Grandfather first and then my Grandmother. As we embrace one another, I realize

that I do not want to leave this place. Here, in this house, live so many memories. Here, in this

house, all of my family has laughed, cried, and slept. I let go of my Granny and languorously

walk towards the door. My Granny calls my name. I turn around. I smile. Then I know that

everything will be okay.


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The Universal Church ofJesus ChristCertificate of Episcopal Consecration

Be it known to all who witness these presents that: We, The Most ReverendD.E.Chase, Th.D.

in the due administration of our Apostolic Office as Archbishop and Patriarch in the One, Holy,

Catholic and Apostolic Church, and in the due exercise of our Apostolic Succession, conferring

Holy Orders under the protection of Almighty God, did on the 21st day of May in the Year of our

Lord Two Thousand-Eight, rightfully and canonically administer the Sacred Vows of Episcopal

Consecration upon our beloved brother in Christ:

The Right Reverend

John A. Doe, DDAnd did, in the witness and presence of the Church, solemnly and publicly set apart, ordain and

consecrate by prayer, the anointing with oil and the imposition of our hands, in accordance with

the Holy Scriptures, the Constitution and Canons of the Church and by the order prescribed in

the Book of Common Prayer with the necessary additional prayers and verbiage as per the

Ordinal of the United Assemblies of Christ; rightfully consecrating and elevating him as a true

and undoubted;

Bishopof the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church during a Pontifical Celebration of the Holy

Eucharist, held at the Immanuel International Cathedral in the City of Louisville, Commonwealth

of Kentucky, USA.

In Witness Whereof: we have hereunto set our

hand and affixed our Archiepiscopal Seal on the date

and in the place aforementioned, and in the Ninth year

of our Consecration.

The Most ReverendD.E. Chase, Th.D

Archbishop and Patriarch

The Most ReverendD.E. Smith, Jr., DD

Dean of the College of Bishops

The Most ReverendC.W. Maddox, DD

Chancellor of the Apostolic Court


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Jasper Miller Interview- Music to Live By

By Brittany Simmons

As I wait for Mr. Miller, I reminisce about my childhood days growing up in the small cityof Bradenton, Florida and always going to the parades-just to see the band play. One by

one, marching band members feverously play their brass and wood instruments. Walking a

few paces behind is none other than Mr. Jasper Miller-the music instructor.

That was 10 years ago. Today I sit with him to gain insight from a musicians

perspective.

Brittany: Thank you for taking time out to do this interview Mr. Miller.Jasper: No problem. You are quite welcome.

Brittany: What is your official job title?

Jasper: Well, I have two job titles. I am a music instructor at Bradenton Christian School and I

am co-owner of Manatee Music.

Brittany: How long have you been in your field of work?

Jasper: Twenty years.

Brittany: Which job would you say is the most rewarding for you?

Jasper: Ooh, good question. That is tough. I think if I had to choose, I would pick the school

because I love teaching.

Brittany: What was a factor in your decision to become a musician?

Jasper: I got a lot of joy from my experience as a child playing and sharing music with others.

Brittany: In past conversations, you stated that music is rewarding for you. In what way is

music rewarding for you?

Jasper: I get a sense of fulfillment. It is an outlet to share my passion with others.

Brittany: Public schools budgets are being drastically cut. Unfortunately, music programs

are the first to be cut from budget. What is your opinion on this matter?

Jasper: It should not be done. Every student needs an outlet to express self and be able to relieve

stress encountered throughout the day.

Brittany: How does that decision affect the students that you teach?


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Jasper: They no longer have music as an outlet. Music has been proven to improve students in

math, science-anything that involves formulas. They no longer have that discipline that they

need.

Brittany: What steps are you taking to ensure music programs are not cut from the budget

at Bradenton Christian School as a music instructor?

Jasper: By getting together with parents and telling them to pass the word.

Brittany: You are not only a music instructor, but also co-owner of Manatee Music. What

are the benefits of having a music store when it comes to your students?

Jasper: I am able to give private lessons which provide one on one time. This allows the band

program to grow stronger.

Brittany: You are often busy with two jobs. How do you balance your job and outside

responsibilities?

Jasper: Thankfully, it (music) is something I enjoy. The stress level is non-existent. The down

time I do have- I spend at home with my wife.

Brittany: In ten years from now, where do you see yourself in the music industry?

Jasper: Hopefully, continuing what I am doing now, and hopefully students will choose the path

that I have taken.


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MemoTo: Professor Barbara

From: Brittany Simmons

Date: March 25, 2009

Re: Proposal to write a Feasibility Report on the subject, Understanding UCF's Place in

the Community: The State of African Americans in Higher Education

I wish to express interest in continuing work on my feasibility report titled, Understanding

UCF's Place in the Community: The State of African Americans in Higher Education. Yourapproval will allow me to analyze the retention of African Americans in post-secondary

institutions and its effect on the University of Central Florida. This report is the final projectrequired for the professional writing course.

African American Retention Rate at UCF

College campuses include many types of people. However, the percentage of various

racial backgrounds is low-especially when African Americans are involved.

Unfortunately, the University of Central Florida faces this very same issue. According to

the Office of Institutional Research, in the fall of 2008, the enrollment for African

American students was only 4,433. This is a little over 9% of UCFs population.

That is ironic considering the fact that UCF is known for its diverse college community.

After further delving into statistics, this fact can be baffling to many. How can such a

diverse college have such a low retention rate for blacks? This is the question in which I

search for answers.

This issue needs to be addressed immediately. Maybe there are more ways in regards to

attracting and retaining African Americans in higher education. According to statistics,

African-Americans are more likely to drop out of college than any other race. It is time to get

to the root of this issue and figure out how society can retain blacks in postsecondaryinstitutions. If this proposal is not adopted, the number of blacks in college will continue to

dwindle.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this report includes the entire University of Central Floridacommunity, especially the Board of Trustees (BOG). By targeting this specific group, students

will want to take action in order to dutifully and responsibly act on such a major issue. In


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addition, the Board of Trustees has authority to make changes and persuade others in and

outside the UCF area.

Objectives

My objective for this report is to enlighten the masses regarding this issue. This report will

assist in finding the reason as to why a certain percentage of African Americans attendcollege. As the college campus grows, so does the various ethnic backgrounds. This matter is

close to my heart as I am also an African American in pursuance of a bachelors degree. I

hope that my audience will realize the seriousness of this matter. I also hope that more will becompelled to take action and reach out to the surrounding areas.

After further analysis and documentation, which supports my report, I do believe that my

audience will take me seriously.

Proposed Solutions

I propose the following solutions:

Create forums for African American students, which will discuss more ways to attractmore students of color.

Allow students to go out in the community and discuss the benefits and advantages ofattending college. Student organizations will be able to accomplish this task.

Provide more scholarships for African Americans who would like to attend a post-secondary institute, but are not able to do so without financial assistance.

Research

Previous research includes:

Facts from UCFs Office of Institutional Research Articles which explain college population Peer responses to questions

List of Questions

I will randomly select freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior standing African American

students that attend the University of Central Florida. This questionnaire will provide an ideaof the opinions students have on the low percentage of black students at the school.

1. What is the average number of African American students in your classes?2. On a school week basis, about how many black students do you encounter?


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3. How do you feel about being part of the small percentage of blacks at UCF?4. Do you think UCF provides enough promotion specifically targeted to the African

American race?

5. Do you think transportation plays a big part in the reason as to why there are a smallnumber of blacks attending UCF? Please explain answer.

6. Do you know of any scholarships for African American students to attend UCF?7. What do you think will help UCF increase the retention of African American students

in college?

The following questionnaire is for the professors:

1. How many African students are in your class on average?2. Do you think that number is a sufficient amount to satisfy diversity? Please explain.3. What are some of your suggestions for increasing the number of blacks attending

college?

4. How long have you been teaching at UCF?5. What do you think will help UCF increase the retention of African American students

in college?

Resources Needed

In order to create a final Feasibility Report, I will need participants who are willing to answer

the questionnaire, both students and teachers. I also need resources for research and librarytime in which I am able to complete my report.

My intentions are to reach out to my fellow peers, from all ages to conduct more research. The

final cost for the Feasibility Report is nothing.

Schedule

Research will continue on this topic and my schedule for completion of the report is as

follows:

Week 13 Randomly select participants for questionnaire

Conduct SurveyTurn in Proposal to turnitin.com April 8

Week 14 Complete Rough Draft

Week 15 Final Report Draft complete

Week 16 Final Report due April 25


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Final Project Format

The final report will include graphs along with concrete facts that will aid in the explanation of

my findings. The final form of the actual document will be a Feasibility Report. Presentationwill be precise and thorough.

During the writing process, I will keep the audience in mind. The report is generated based oninformation I find relevant and useful for the audience. Upon reading my report, the audience

will learn of an issue that has always been present at the University of Central Florida.

My Qualifications

I am an African American student at the University of Central Florida and part of the small

population of blacks at the school. As a senior at UCF, I have experience and I also have

access to the UCF community such as students, faculty, and staff of the school to conductresearch. I have previous experience with research papers and am familiar with the format

and time requirement. I also have taken numerous writing classes that enable me to research

and write about such a topic.

Conclusion

Presentation of my final report will be the conclusion of all the aforementioned. I am very

passionate about the subject matter and feel that it is crucial and necessary to reach out to theUCF community.

By acknowledging the issue and trying to resolve the issue at UCF, other colleges will see thatit is possible for an increase in the retention of African American college students.

Thank you for your time.

Best Regards,

Brittany Simmons


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Works Cited

Willie, Charles. The Education of African-Americans. New York: Auburn House, 1991.

Lee Jones. Making it on broken promises leading African American male scholars confront

the culture of higher education. 1st ed. Sterling, VA: Stylus, 2002.


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Blog entry link: http://salvationarmymercerco.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/go-green-go/

Go Green, Go!

When it comes to the word green, many words come to mind such as grass, broccoli, money

etc.; however, no three words are more synonymous with the color than Saint Patricks Day.

Originally, the holiday was created to pay tribute to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland

whose mission was to convert the Irish to Christianity. In more recent years, it has been known

as a time to celebrate the Irish culture in its entirety. The Irish, including others from around theglobe, wear the hue to help commemorate all things green associated with the Irish holiday:

shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, leprechauns, and of course, Ireland.

March 17th of every year, the world literally turns green!

How awesome will it be if the whole world goes green everyday? Not only will individuals be

more eco-friendly, but also save on energy, improve health, and ultimately save somegreenbacks-better known as cash money.

Ways to go green:

1. Conserve energy

2. Recycle

3. Eat smart

So in honor of this celebratory occasion, lets start another mission: keep Earth green!

St. Pattys Fun Facts Quiz:

1. What was the original color associated with St. Patricks Day? Answer: Blue

2. Leprechauns are part of the ______ folklore. Answer: Irish

3. The very first St. Patricks Day parade was held in what location? Answer: Boston

4. What is the traditional meal for this time? Answer: Corned beef and green cabbage.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2011

Contact: Brittany Simmons 941-726-4377

WORLD CHAMPION TEAMMATE TO HAVE BIRTHDAY AND GRADUATION PARTYFAMILY TO HOST SURPRISE CELEBRATION FOR TONY II

[BRADENTON-- Wednesday, June 1] Ten months after representing and winning for USA in the F1

School World Finals, Tony II will graduate from Southeast High School June 1 and celebrate his 18 th

birthday June 5. The celebration will be held June 17, 2011 at Holiday Inn Sarasota Bradenton Airport,

8009 15th Street East, Sarasota, Florida 34243 in an office casual environment. Janet, mother of graduate,

to host party.

On her reaction regarding Tonys graduation and birthday, Janet stated:

This is a great accomplishment formy son. He worked hard to prepare forthe Finals in Singapore and keep up his grades as a student. Now, it is his

time to relax and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

The statement is in response to Tony being part of Southeast Highs Team Unitus Racing Team as the

graphics designer. The group traveled to Singapore September 16, 2010 to compete in the F1 School

World Finals. Students researched, tested, produced, and raced miniature size Formula One cars. Days

later, Team Unitus was crowned world champions and made history as the first country to win title for a

second time.

Brittany Simmons is a creative and professional writer aspiring to write for the magazine industry.

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Documents

11 7 12 Writing Samples