Anna Berger|2015

These artifacts are a sampling of work I have completed during my time here at the University of Michigan. During my Freshman Year, I wrote a comparative essay on the characters of Into The Wild. This essay explores the incredible strength and depth that a brother-sister relationship has. The preservation of this sibling bond, even at the scariest of times, is enough to instill hope and reaffirm unconditional love. My Junior Year consisted of learning how to write academic argumentation and I produced a piece that explores the implications of intermarriage within Judaism. This piece is a mixture of research and personal anecdote, as I wrestle my upbringing with the scary facts of what intermarriage is doing to Jews in America. This essay looks at preservation in a whole new way--that for traditions to continue and for meaning to be passed on, people must assume responsibility.  I was also busy Junior year creating my portfolio for the Gateway course of the Minor in Writing. This portfolio looks at the preservation of simple moments. I examine a personal family tradition, the moments that have made me who I am, and the hardest days that have made me stronger. Senior year I ventured outside of my comfort zone and took a class on Ancient Epics. In my final essay for the class, I examine the classic Greek hero Aeneid, and I compare him to a modern-day classic, Maximus from the movie Gladiator. Both of these characters are warriers in their own right, but it is their undying devotion to the past, the preservation of their memories,

that fuels their inner fire. Lastly, I wrote an Evolution Essay for my Minor in Writing

that looks at my journey over the last four years at Michigan. This look back

at my growth in writing and in other areas is a testament to the

self-exploration I underwent in my University years. As I look back

at where I have been, I am proud of where I am,

and so excited for where I am going.