You can build a credible history-writing portfolio without published clips. Choose a few strong pieces that match the work you want, label unpublished or self-directed samples honestly, explain the evidence and your role, and make the collection easy to browse and contact you about.
What belongs in a portfolio when you have no clips?
A portfolio demonstrates relevant skills; it does not have to be a list of professionally published work. Academic papers, extracurricular projects, and personal work can all serve as samples when they show the abilities an editor, client, or employer needs. Penn Career Services notes that unpublished work can be included when it demonstrates relevant skills, and UMBC lists an excerpt from a paper or report as a possible writing sample: UMBC writing samples guidance.
Choose work that shows historical thinking as well as clear prose: how you frame a question, use evidence, explain context, and guide a reader through an argument. If a piece began as coursework, identify it as such. If you revised it for a general audience, say so. Do not present a class paper or self-assigned article as a published clip or commissioned assignment.
Choose a target before choosing samples
Decide what kind of history writing you want to be considered for. A portfolio aimed at public-facing features may look different from one for museum interpretation, educational content, archival explainers, or book reviews. Tailoring samples to the intended audience helps a reader see where your work fits. UC Davis recommends selecting the best and most relevant work for the audience, and Penn advises that a portfolio demonstrate skills related to the opportunity.
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Make the intended direction clear in a short introduction. For instance: “I write accessible articles about local history, using archival sources and current scholarship.” Treat this as a description of your focus, not a claim to credentials you do not have.
Build a small set of strong samples
Start with what you already have
Review papers, reports, newsletter contributions, public-history projects, or other writing you are allowed to share. Select pieces that demonstrate distinct strengths rather than several samples that make the same point. If an academic paper is too long or assumes specialist knowledge, prepare a clearly labeled excerpt or revise it for the intended reader. Preserve enough context and evidence for the piece to make sense on its own.
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Create samples that resemble the work you want
If your existing work is a poor match, write a few self-directed pieces. For example, you could develop a short narrative based on primary and secondary sources, explain the context and significance of one primary source, or write a concise review of a history book. These are useful practice formats, not required genres. Label each sample “self-directed” or “unpublished” as applicable, and do not imply that an outlet assigned or accepted it.
How many should you include?
Reedsy suggests three to five pieces for someone starting out. Treat that as a practical starting point, not a hiring or admissions rule. A smaller selection is better than filling the page with weaker work: each piece should show a relevant ability or format you want to be hired to produce. Revisit the selection when you have stronger material.
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Give every sample enough context to be judged
Do not make a reader infer what they are looking at. Add a brief note with each piece that identifies its format, intended audience, publication status, research focus, and your contribution. If other people contributed, credit them and describe your role accurately. UC Davis recommends explaining source material and the components you contributed where appropriate.
Historical claims should be inspectable. Include citations or linked references sufficient to show what supports the piece, while following the style requested by an editor or assignment when known. There is no single citation format mandated for a portfolio by the career guidance cited here; choose a consistent, readable approach suited to the sample. For a short web piece, a compact source note or links to primary material and relevant scholarship may work better than interrupting every paragraph with extensive notes.
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Organize the portfolio for a quick read
Make it easy for a prospective editor, client, or employer to find the most relevant work. Reedsy describes organizing samples by topic or format. For a history writer, sections such as “Narrative history,” “Research explainers,” or “Reviews” can help if you actually have samples in those forms. Do not create empty categories just to make the portfolio look larger.
A simple digital portfolio can consist of a concise landing or about section, a samples page, and a clear contact route. Put your strongest, most relevant piece first. Keep descriptions short enough that the writing remains the focus, but detailed enough to establish context and authorship.
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Choose a format that suits how you will share it
A portfolio can be a personal website, a page on a portfolio platform, or a paper or electronic document. UC Davis recognizes personal websites and platforms such as LinkedIn, GitHub, Tumblr, or WordPress; UMBC advises choosing paper or electronic format according to the need. Reedsy also describes a website or portfolio platform as a way to organize samples. The sources do not establish current pricing or feature comparisons for those services, so choose based on your audience and practical needs rather than an assumed platform advantage.
| Format | Useful when | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Personal website or portfolio platform | You need one shareable link and want samples grouped by topic or format. | You are responsible for keeping the pages, links, and contact details current. |
| PDF or other electronic document | A recipient requests an attachment or you want a compact selection to send directly. | It can be less convenient to update and navigate than a web page. |
| Printed samples | You expect to discuss work in person and a hard copy would be useful. | It is less convenient to share remotely and must be kept current separately. |
These are practical trade-offs, not a ranking. If you use a hosted platform or website builder, confirm that its current format and access options suit your readers before committing to it.
Check the portfolio before sharing it
- Open every sample and source link to confirm that it works and leads where intended.
- Review the pages on common screen sizes and devices; Penn Career Services recommends testing across devices.
- Check that your name, short introduction, sample labels, and contact details are accurate and easy to find.
- Confirm that you have permission to share any work created with collaborators, for a class, or for an organization.
- Replace weaker samples as your work improves, while keeping the portfolio focused on the opportunities you want.
Use the portfolio alongside your application
A portfolio supports an application by letting someone inspect your work; it does not replace a resume or other requested materials. Penn Career Services attributes this advice to Andrew Fennell, a former recruiter and director at StandOut CV: “An online portfolio shouldn’t typically be seen as a substitute for a resume.” Follow the application instructions, and include the portfolio link or samples where they are requested or relevant.
A note on history teaching portfolios
The American Historical Association’s 1997 article by William Cutler discusses portfolios for teaching and courses, not freelance writing clips. Its useful broader point is that a portfolio should have a clear purpose and meaningful structure. For a writing portfolio, apply that principle by stating what the collection demonstrates, giving each sample context, and organizing the pieces around the work you want.
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