1. January 26, 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to write in support of Ms. Clair Belleveau's application for a position in
your company. Clair was my student in three courses and also completed her senior thesis with me,
so I can speak to her intellectual rigor, her clear writing ability, and her ability to analyze critically. In
each course, Clair proved herself to be one of the hardest working students, applying her critical
thinking skills to very difficult texts. She was able to take Freudian theory, for example, and read
dense 19th
-century poetry in order to convey an utterly original, well-supported argument. About
that paper, I would also say that she was able to include alternative views as a way to increase her
rhetorical effectiveness. She is clearly one of those thinkers who wants more viewpoints, so that she
may make an even better decision.
Clair's writing was also quite effective, using imagery and startling analogy in order to convey
her clear ideas. She is a tireless reviser, and works hard to construct simple, beautiful, and well-made
sentences. She can constellate difficult abstractions in concrete terms, often having the ability to
construct images that distill big ideas. In workshop classes in poetry, for example, I have seen Clair
discuss other students' poems and help them come to better lines. She has a way of listening to
someone's intentions, really hearing them, and making suggestions to that open up the composition
process and make for stronger writing. At the end of the semester, I ask students to make a list of
other people whose comments helped them the most, and Clair was at the top of the list in both
creative writing courses she took with me.
Clair is a sharing, verbal person who listens carefully and sensitively, and then is able to

2. engage others in meaningful, collegial ways. She has a quick smile and works incredibly well in
groups, which she keeps on task. Because of some misguided academic advising done by a
colleague, Clair's last semester of college consisted of four classes as well as the writing of her thesis
(when students normally take three classes and enroll in thesis hours). Clair amped up her research
in the fall semester and was able to spend the rather short three-week winter break writing a
beautifully-researched, well-argued thirty-page thesis. This kind of work usually takes two months,
but Clair's dedication and motivation are top-notch and unlike anything you'll see in another person.
I recommend Clair most highly. She is a smart, hard working, creative thinker who would
be an asset to your team. Should you have any other questions regarding her application, please do
not hesitate to email or call. I certainly would be delighted to speak at greater length about Clair's
intellectual and creative talents.
Sincerely Yours,
James Allen Hall
Associate Professor of English
Washington College
jhall5@washcoll.edu
(832) 741-2192 (mobile)