Introduction

Hi yinz guys! (It's a Pittsburgh thing). I'm Kristy Gillespie, a career switcher currently enrolled in NVCC's Technical Writing program. Although I'm originally from Western Pennsylvania, I've lived in Northern Virginia for over 20 years. As an introvert at heart, my first and best friends were book characters. I find my greatest peace when reading and writing. After 18 years of working as a school counselor and school librarian, I'm excited to delve into the world of technical writing!

In this portfolio, I've included my narrative essay, research project, prewriting drafts, and a review of my work. In my narrative essay, Let's Roll, I reflect on September 11, 2001—a day that began like any other Tuesday morning but ended in horrific tragedy. I was in a poetry class when Flight 93 crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA, just 24 miles from my college.

In my research project, The Importance of Preserving the Appalachian Dialect: A Focus on Western Pennsylvania, I explore how the dialect is essential for maintaining heritage, identity, and cultural pride.