by Alex Kunce
Ahead is a portfolio of five writing projects, highlighting unique skills and challenges in each. I explain the process, highlights, mistakes, and challenges along the way.
Campus Cupboard Recipe
This easy Mexican recipe exemplifies brevity in writing—no one wants to hear you wax on! Writing to a constrained length makes sure every word counts. I was careful to plan what I wanted to say beforehand, and to use punchy language to keep the wording concise. This project also incorporates research from a variety of internet sources to give some backstory on the recipe. I included deep dives into culinary history and statistics from food production. This recipe also allowed me to bridge multiple skills, including coding and design. All together, a fun assignment! Check out the web page here:
GAI Analysis
This project emphasized research using up and coming Generative Artificial Intelligence as the topic. When I began the project, I committed to making easy-to-understand graphs that would forego any misleading elements. I began in Adobe Illustrator, picking a color scheme and preparing a template. Then, I performed research, using my template to plot my findings. This project went well, except for that I found I mixed up my proportion conversion for my pie chart. I was able to redo the numbers without much trouble, however. Overall, the findings were interesting. Finally, I wrote an explanation for my findings and covered it with an email reporting my results to a fictional supervisor. See my project here:
Audience Analysis
This analysis of the video game Minecraft‘s instructions demonstrates understanding one’s audience and using that understanding to one’s advantage. I began with analyzing two mediums of instruction and comparing them. Next, I identified key strengths and flaws in each. In a smart choice, Minecraft used each medium to fit two conflicting audiences. You can read the full analysis here:
An Introduction to Harmony
Writing clear instructions can be difficult. This project tested identifying the most important information and structuring it in the easiest understood order. I chose music harmony as my topic, so I began with listing the most foundational elements, followed by elements that could build on those foundations. Then I considered what would make my instructions clear—tools I used included simple, conversational tone that I hope comes off as encouraging and relatable, short, purposeful paragraphs, and careful explanations of the behind-the-scenes workings. The third especially helps me a lot in school, so I chose to apply it to my instructions. All in all, this is one of my most useful projects. Read the instructions here:
Style Guide
This style guide was made for my personal music project. It defines consistency rules for writing, art, and formatting. To begin, I reviewed my existing material, identifying repeated elements. Then I identified some inconsistencies, and was sure to note those in the style guide as a consistent style. This assignment demonstrates being in-tune with not only words, but with art, design, layout, and format. Being consistent is practically synonymous with being professional when it comes to style, making guides such as this vital to the industry. Read the full style guide here:
Conclusion
No project can be perfect, especially when working on a deadline. It doesn’t need to be. The thing that makes creation interesting is its imperfection. I’ve always been distrustful of those who do not recognize their own flaws, and a discerning employer surely is too. That is why I propose a grade of 95. That’s 19 points times 5 projects. I put my best effort toward creating intelligent, carefully-written assignments with a touch of personality and creativity. But there is always room to improve. Perhaps the greatest skill anyone can have is improvement, and over this semester I have improved my writing, especially in a professional setting. I hope for lots of improvement to come. I believe I am ready to pass this class with this grade and strive toward further learning and further improvement.
Thank you!
–Alex