Portfolio Cover Letter

March 12, 2013
Portfolio Committee


Dear Portfolio Reader:

Are people born writers? As children you learn to read and write. You start out scribbling on a piece of paper until a more trained eye tells you to write on the lines. You learn in school to make complete sentences and to use the correct punctuation marks to seal its fate. However, writing is a form of art and much like art, writing can be abstract. People may not understand it but they can somehow empathize with it. Some things simply do not make sense. But why does it have to make sense? Writing is expressive. Its literally a sum total of the organ that sits between the ears and the one that pounds in the chest. Consequently, one of my strengths is sometimes my greatest weakness and that is the simple fact I love to write. I like to write about life and how it is viewed and perceived by myself and others. The only problem with that is the conclusion and summary never seem to be in the equation. Nevertheless, the more I write, the more I learn.  I am learning it is equally vital to hold the reader's attention once it has been captured. I am also learning an individual's disapproval of an article does not mean the article is not relevant.  It is for this reason I assembled this writing portfolio.


I wanted to submit pieces that cover topics talked about on television, in locker rooms, barber shops, and social media platforms such as love, sex, heartbreak and religion. Although each piece conveys a different topic they are similar in rhythmic nature. The first piece of writing describes what it means to be a World Changer. While one would immediately think of the church it reminds the readers of what it means to be a world changer individually. By the end of the piece the actual World Changers mission "making a mark that cannot be erased" is captured to show collectivity. Individualism is defined to connect relationship and purpose. This particular piece was chosen because I am indeed a member of World Changers. It is a response to inquiries about the church in relation to personal responsibility. Ironically, the title chosen Always Sound the Alarm does not directly involve the nature of the piece. However, it subconsciously gives voice to the building. The topic was intended to be heartfelt, open and an overall introduction into a succinct style of writing. 

The next piece entitled Sometimes was chosen because it not only appeals to women but it sets the mood. Women were singled out here because statistics show women read more than men. It did not carry a rhyme scheme but rather served as an icebreaker or used to arouse a response. In other words, the idea was to bring all of the conversations that take place between women to a central location. The mood is common, self indulgent, and a social outlet after a long day. The objective was to prove that all women have something in common despite their lifestyles--being human.

The next piece entitled Mystery Love describes love and the uncertainty thereof. This piece was used to establish tone in a piece of literature. In this piece love is the protagonist and the antagonist. It's neither right nor wrong. It is the problem and yet it is the solution. The tone sets out to describe love's relative nature.This four letter word has caused more tragedies than an American war and yet has attributed to overpopulation. As one with older siblings you hear and see the extremes people undergo in the name of this word. People seem to know what it is and yet search to find it. This is why the end justifies the beginning.

With so many issues on the minds of individuals writing has become the spokesperson for the couple in love, the widow, the church or the school and I intend on capturing and maintaining each moment with the use of words. After all, reading cannot be fundamental if there does not exist something to read. With that said, writers are not only born writers but they have been summoned to do so. 

Sincerely,

Lashuntres Redmon