Reference for Jessamy Baudains re application for MA in Journalism.

I have known Jessamy for three years as her personal tutor at university, and taught her during the first year as her academic tutor. Jessamy is an ambitious, highly motivated student of English Literature, who is doing well academically. In her second year modules, which will make up 50% of her final degree result, she gained overall module marks of 70% (US Writing and Culture), 74% (Feminist Perspectives on Literature), 68% (Romantic Period Novel), and 68% (States of Damage – a module on American Literature post 9/11). As evidenced by these results, Jessamy is likely to achieve either a very high 2:1 or a 1st class Honours degree when she graduates this summer.Marks like these are not achieved without the ability to write fluently and stylishly, to amass evidence and construct a complex argument, to recognise bias in an argument or account, and to create an analytical narrative. The Warwick degree requires a lot of long essay writing – typically 5000 words – based on independent research and investigation. Jessamy’s training in this and her evident success will stand her in good stead in the field of journalism. Similarly, emphasis is put upon frequent class presentations and oral contributions. Once again, the ability to ask the right kinds of questions, and to present material clearly and succinctly will be beneficial in journalistic practice.Jessamy’s success thus far with her degree demonstrates her efficiency in managing her time to good effect, to working successfully under pressure, and meeting targets. In addition, the work experience that she has already acquired with an Advertising and PR company, together with her forthcoming Guernsey newspaper internship, demonstrates the seriousness with which she has gone about preparing herself for her desired career in journalism, and gaining insight into its day to day realities.Jessamy has a resilient and determined personality. If she is accepted onto an MA in Journalism, she will prove a successful and fully engaged postgraduate, determined to make full use of every opportunity that comes her way. I am happy to recommend her to you warmly.

Christiania WhiteheadAssociate Professor of English Literature (Reader)Dept of English and Comparative Literary Studies,University of Warwick

Tel. 024 765 24994c.a.whitehead@warwick.ac.uk