New writing sample?

[ambtiondata]

Hello! I'm glad to be part of this community - I've been reading the posts for a couple of weeks and thought it was high time I jumped in to seek and offer advice

Comments

[tisiphone]

It's not necessarily a problem to submit something new, and there's not usually a restriction on "you must have submitted this for an assignment" - a writing sample is to see how you write, not what grades you got. The biggest problem I see with writing a new piece is that you won't have anyone to review it and give you objective feedback like you do on a graded paper. Do you have someone you could ask to provide that kind of review, preferably from an academic standpoint from someone who knows about what you're discussing? If so, you could try it. But I'd also look at your existing works and see if there's anything you could shine up for submission, in case this doesn't work out as well as you hoped.

[ambtiondata]

Yes, I have at least two professors and three worthy peer editors who I'll be consulting. My best bet for existing works is a paper on the Jew of Malta which I'd probably have to double in length. Also, I don't really want to focus on theatre. Thank you for the thoughtful feedback - I'll be sure to run the final product by as many qualified eyes as I can find.

[circumfession]

The short answer is...absolutely. You can submit anything, although it's generally "safer" to go with something that's been looked at by the professor. In your case, however, I'd DEFINITELY go with the new piece. You can always make the decision after it's written.