Crafting the Ideal Writing Sample for Your Internship Application
When embarking on the journey of applying for an internship, one of the key components that often surfaces is the writing sample. While not every organization will request this alongside your other application materials, being prepared to submit a compelling sample can significantly enhance your candidacy. A writing sample serves as a direct window into your capabilities, offering potential employers a glimpse into your writing ability, your thought process, your organizational skills, your communication prowess, and your capacity to construct and defend an argument from inception to conclusion. It is, in essence, a tangible representation of your professional potential.
Understanding the Purpose and Significance of a Writing Sample
A writing sample is more than just a demonstration of grammatical correctness; it is a supplemental document for a job application, frequently requested for roles that inherently involve a substantial amount of writing. This includes fields such as journalism, marketing, public relations, and research. Employers may also request a writing sample if the internship role will involve the responsibility of writing and disseminating important information or correspondence, such as company-wide announcements in an HR capacity. Different employers will scrutinize your writing sample for various details, which can vary depending on the specific job, the company culture, and the industry. However, irrespective of these variables, every employer will invariably assess your tone, style, and overall writing skills, encompassing content, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The objective is to gauge your ability to articulate ideas clearly, persuasively, and professionally.
Selecting the Right Piece: Content and Relevance
The first critical step in preparing your writing sample is selecting the appropriate piece of work. Unless you are provided with a specific topic for the application or the organization offers explicit instructions on the type of sample to submit, several guidelines are paramount. A strong strategy is to leverage a paper you have already completed for a college class. This demonstrates your ability to meet academic writing standards and often provides a well-developed argument.
Crucially, consider the nature of the internship you are applying for and the types of writing tasks it will likely entail. For instance, submitting a lengthy research paper for an internship that primarily requires the drafting of briefs and memos would be a misstep. The genre of your sample should ideally align with the genre of writing expected in the internship role. For journalism positions, this might mean submitting "clips"-actual articles published in a campus newspaper, blog, or other publication. For a research-focused role, an in-depth analysis of an issue or topic is appropriate. If the internship involves public relations, a press release you have authored for a previous internship or a campus organization would be suitable. For positions in law firms or with elected officials, a case study from a political science or law-related course can be an excellent choice. Similarly, a lab report can serve as a valuable writing sample for a science-related position. If you are an undergraduate student or a recent graduate with limited professional experience, a well-executed school assignment can be a viable option.
However, it is vital to remember that content relevance, while important, is secondary to the quality of the writing itself. Always opt for your strongest piece, even if its content is perceived as less directly relevant to the internship. A flawlessly written sample with slightly tangential content will generally make a better impression than a piece with highly relevant content but significant writing flaws. If you are torn between two papers, and one is demonstrably better written than the other, choose the superior piece. Alternatively, if a relevant paper is not as strong as another piece, consider revising and strengthening the relevant paper before submission.
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When selecting a piece, ensure it closely matches the subject matter or position. Assignments related to the industry or subject matter can significantly aid your job search. The writing should also be relatable to the company's brand image and values. For example, avoid submitting a sarcastic or irreverent sample to a company with a professional and helpful brand image. Conversely, a modest, simple writing sample might not be the best fit for a company that thrives on risk-taking and creativity. It is also beneficial to research and read several pieces of writing that the company has already published to understand their preferred tone and style.
The Crucial Aspect of Length
The length of your writing sample is a critical consideration, and most organizations will specify their preferred length. If they do not provide explicit instructions, a customary range of 2-5 pages is generally advisable. In terms of word count, a brief, impactful sample is often more effective than an excessively long one, as employers typically have limited time for review. Many sources suggest a range of approximately 750 words or between one and two pages as a good general guideline. Some suggest aiming for around 500-1000 words, noting that shorter samples (e.g., 300-500 words) can also be effective if they are well-written and demonstrate abilities concisely. For some contexts, such as personal branding portfolios, shorter, punchier pieces might be preferred.
If you have a longer paper that you wish to use, you can extract a section that best represents your work. When doing so, it is imperative to select excerpts that maintain a coherent flow, demonstrating the argument's beginning, middle, and end. This may necessitate some level of editing to ensure smooth transitions. It is also a good practice to introduce such excerpts with a brief paragraph. This introductory paragraph should provide context, explaining the topic of the original paper, the class it was written for, and where this excerpt fits within the larger work. This allows the reader to understand your sample with minimal effort. If you are submitting an excerpt from a paper longer than five pages, it is helpful to include a notation at the top indicating that it is an excerpt from a [number]-page paper on [topic] and specifying its location within the original document.
For portfolio purposes, it is often recommended to keep samples concise, typically including 2-3 varied pieces, each demonstrating different skills or styles. The ideal length in a portfolio can vary, but brevity with depth is key. Aim for samples that capture your essence as a writer and effectively communicate your skills. Prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring each word contributes meaningfully.
Ensuring Pristine Quality: Editing and Presentation
Regardless of the content or length, the absolute paramount rule is to ensure your writing sample is exceptionally well-written and of the highest quality. Before submission, meticulously proofread it multiple times to eliminate any spelling and grammar errors. This is critical, as your writing skills are the primary focus of this document. Employ strategies like reading your document backward, which can help you catch mistakes you might otherwise overlook by presenting the words in a new order.
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Submit a clean copy, free from grades, marks, or professor's comments. This demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. If you are using a graded assignment, ensure you received a satisfactory grade, but do not necessarily discard your "B" papers if they are otherwise strong.
The presentation of your writing sample also matters. Use a consistent font and formatting style throughout. Ensure a clean, professional layout with readable fonts, paying attention to spacing and margins for optimal readability. If applicable, consider adding visuals like graphs or images to enhance understanding, especially for technical topics. For digital submissions, optimize for online viewing, considering digital formats and hyperlinking for accessibility, and pay attention to load times if including visuals. If you are bringing a physical copy to an interview, bring at least five hard copies to accommodate multiple interviewers.
Contextualizing Your Submission
When submitting a writing sample, providing context is often beneficial. As mentioned earlier, if you are using an excerpt from a larger work, a brief introductory paragraph is essential. This paragraph should clearly state the topic of the paper, the course for which it was written, and its place within the original document. For instance, you might begin with a sentence like, "Please find my writing sample for the Sr. [Internship Title] position. This sample is a passage from a larger study about how product simplicity impacts consumers." This introductory context helps the reader understand the purpose and scope of your submission without needing extensive background information.
Avoiding Pitfalls and Common Misconceptions
It is important to avoid common misconceptions and pitfalls when preparing your writing sample. Unless explicitly requested, refrain from submitting creative writing samples, such as poetry or fiction, as they may not accurately reflect the professional writing skills required for the internship. Similarly, avoid sensitive content such as politics, religion, or overly personal information, unless the internship directly pertains to these areas and the employer specifically requests it.
Another misconception is that longer is always better. While depth is important, a concise and impactful piece that effectively showcases your skills is far more valuable than a lengthy, rambling document. Quality truly trumps quantity. If you have little to no relevant work experience, it is perfectly acceptable to create a new sample specifically for the employer, provided it aligns with the internship's requirements and demonstrates your capabilities effectively.
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The Internship Experience Reflection Paper
In some academic programs, such as those involving internships, a specific type of writing sample is required: an internship experience reflection paper. This paper, typically due by the last day of instruction for the quarter, serves a dual purpose: it reflects on your internship experience and represents the sponsoring agency to the Department of English and to prospective interns. Recognizing that this paper will become a public document is crucial. It should be honest and thoughtful to best assist future interns.
The paper should not merely describe what you did; it should analyze and evaluate your experience, demonstrating that you have thought carefully about your time at the organization and are familiar with important issues in the field. A clear and coherent description of the internship's involvement, organization, supervision, and your role within it is necessary. Detail your responsibilities and how you contributed to the organization's operations and goals.
Furthermore, include an analysis of the agency's cultural, social, or political function, or an analysis of issues related to your experience. This section aims to go beyond description, providing depth and a broader perspective. Consider the cultural, social, or political forces the agency responds to and how effectively it does so. Finally, evaluate your experience, including your own performance and the program or agency itself. Articulate your internship goals, whether you met them, if the internship was satisfying, and what you learned. To prepare for this paper, keeping a journal during your internship and reading current articles related to your field can be highly beneficial. The paper length for such reflections typically ranges from 3 to 6 pages, varying according to the hours worked, credits earned, and the complexity of the internship.
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