Writing and Communication Statement
- Amanda Rose Vanaman
- Aug 14, 2025
- 3 min read
I have long regarded writing as one of the most powerful tools in my communication arsenal. Throughout my educational journey, I have witnessed a significant evolution in my skills as both a writer and a communicator. My writing process has become increasingly involved and entails significant attention paid to the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the reader. This awareness allows me to articulate my claims with clarity and precision, underpinned by both qualitative analyses and quantitative data that lend credibility to my arguments.
In addition to honing my writing skills, I have expanded my range as a communicator by extending my communication to alternative forms of media. My experiences now include creating engaging visual presentations, producing thoughtful mixed media projects, and curating in-depth archival work, all of which have enriched my ability to convey complex ideas more effectively.
I have selected a comparative analysis essay as an example of my growth as a writer. My final essay for the Honors Symposium class at Everett Community College, Spring 2023, delves into two thought-provoking works: "The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidt and "Taipei" by Tao Lin. In this essay, I explore how each author approaches the concept of happiness, and I examine the deeper philosophical question of what it means to have purpose in life. Through a detailed analysis, I present my own perspective on the pursuit of happiness, debating whether it is an achievable and worthwhile goal in our contemporary society.
This essay not only showcases my capabilities as a writer at the beginning of my higher education journey, but it also reflects a solid foundation in articulating my perspectives within a philosophical framework. It is a testament to my growth as a writer and communicator and my commitment to thoughtful, critical engagement with complex themes.
My skills as a communicator are exemplified in my Curatorial Statement for the Cultural Research course I undertook at the University of Washington in the Summer of 2024. In this statement, I outline the process I followed in developing my memory work project, reflecting on both the challenges and insights I encountered along the way. I explain my rationale behind the carefully curated artifacts I selected, offering a thoughtful analysis of how each element relates to the broader themes explored in the course content.
This curatorial statement emphasizes the crucial role of memory work in understanding personal and collective narratives, as well as the importance of engaging interviewees as primary sources, serving to enrich the project. By showcasing my ability to integrate diverse perspectives and sources, this statement significantly enhances my portfolio, demonstrating both my analytical skills and my capacity to construct a cohesive and engaging project. Ultimately, it serves as a testament to the memory work process and highlights my contributions to a large-scale, creative endeavor that seeks to explore, preserve, and communicate meaningful stories.
Another project that highlights my proficiency in various forms of communication is my Living Memory Project, a PowerPoint presentation I created for the History of Journalism course at the University of Washington in the summer of 2024. In this presentation, I examine the media coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and its impact on recovery efforts. I argue that there was a significant connection between the media coverage of the earthquake and the distribution of recovery resources among different San Francisco neighborhoods. The project effectively utilizes multimedia formats, incorporating both primary and secondary sources to support my analysis.
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