Emilly Porter was a student in Professor Rouse's English Majors' senior research seminar in Spring 2016. She made highly impressive contributions through committed classroom discussion and insightful written work. For her research project, Emilly provided a masterful analysis of the role of incest in G.R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series by placing it in the context of family dynamics in European aristocracy. Professor Rouse recommends Emilly without reservation for an editorial assistant position based on her strong critical thinking, writing skills, and intellectual qualities that will allow her to succeed in her chosen field.

1. T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A
Reference Letter: Emilly Porter
20th
August, 2016
To Whom It May Concern,
I have known Emilly Porter since the Spring of 2016, when she was a member of my
English Majors’ senior research seminar. Emilly’s contribution to this seminar was highly
impressive both in terms of her committed approach and her insightful written contributions.
She quickly established herself as one of the leaders in classroom discussion, both bringing her
own ideas and readings to the table and also – most usefully – engaging with the thoughts of
her peers.
As her research project for the seminar, Emilly tackled the fraught topic of the role of
incest in the political complexities of G.R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series. In what was a
masterful piece of research and analysis, she identified the important structural role of what
might be otherwise be read as mere salacious audience-bait, reading the incestuous
relationships of the Lannister twins and the Targeryon dynasty in the context of the family
dynamics of Europe’s own aristocratic past. The research project (which received an A+) was
Department of English
#397 – 1873 East Mall
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6T 1Z1
Tel: (604) 822-5122
Fax: (604) 822-6906

2. representative of the imaginative and thoughtful responses that Emilly had provided to the
material throughout the semester.
As a graduate of our English Major, Emilly has had a thorough grounding both in the
cultural and literary capital of western society. During her time in the program she developed
a strong critical voice, and the ability to express this in multiple media, both scholarly and
popular. Emilly is a careful and articulate writer, with a strong command of grammar and a
exceptional sense of style: she writes with both verve and poise. I am sure that these skills will
hold her in good stead in this position.
Emilly Porter compares very favorably to the best undergraduate students whom I have
taught over my career. I have held faculty positions at the University of Durham (UK), the
University of Nottingham (UK), and – since 2005 – the University of British Columbia,
Vancouver. Emilly compares very well indeed to the top 5% of graduating students from these
universities. It is my opinion that Emilly has the intellectual qualities and strength of character
to succeed in her chosen field. She is articulate in her speech, cogent in her argument, and civil
and reassured in her manner.
I recommend Ms. Porter without reservation for your opening as an editorial assistant. I
am confident that she will flourish within such a demanding and stimulating environment.
Professor Robert Allen Rouse
Department of English
University of British Columbia
robert.rouse@ubc.ca