English 101 Portfolio
The Portfolio
Overview
Portfolios work in different ways in different classes. Sometimes they are used to simply collect the work a student has done over a period of time. Sometimes they are used to mark progress via revision. And sometimes they are used as a way to assess student work-not simply just writing but also progress and effort in class.
The Portfolios you will turn in for this class will do all of these things. As you develop these portfolios each of you will engage in three activities: collection, selection, and reflection. This will give you the opportunity to review your work, revise your writing, and think about what you have learned throughout the semester. You will showcase your progress throughout the semester through revision of your previous work. Another way you will show the knowledge you have developed about your writing is in a reflective Introduction for your portfolio.
Finally, I will use the portfolios as a way of assessing your effort, progress as a writer and as a student, and the quality of your written work. I will assess the portfolios and include a letter to you when I return them. The letter will detail your work in the class to that point. I will give you feedback on the quality of your work to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses as a writer in a variety of rhetorical situations. I will also include a letter grade to mark your progress.
Note: I can offer you two pieces of advice about portfolios: 1. Take the Introduction seriously. If you don’t, I will know. You can’t scam a scammer. I was a student in your position not so long ago. I know the tricks. It will only frustrate me if you waste my time with fluff that you don’t mean. So take the cover letter analysis of your portfolio, and work this semester, seriously. Be honest and useful in it. 2. I value revision. I value students that have taken the time to attempt to grow as a person and a writer. If you have attempted good revisions, then you will be rewarded for it. If you say you’ve attempted revision but haven’t, you’ll be penalized. I could not be anymore straightforward here about what I will look for when assessing your portfolios (revision, a strong introduction, and quality of your work).
Final Portfolio
Your final portfolio is your last opportunity to demonstrate to me everything you have learned throughout the semester. This portfolio should reflect development in your writing skills and critical thinking skills. In addition, it should be well polished. This is the time to worry about typos and editing and small details. This should be the best writing I have seen from you.
Please take all of these items and copy and paste into one word document and upload to the designated spot in Blackboard.
What to include:
- 2 discussion board entries. You may choose any two entries here. Try and select entries that showcase your careful reading and analysis skills. THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE REVISED. JUST COPY, PASTE, AND INCLUDE THEM.
- 2 book club journal entries. You may choose any two entries here. Try and select entries that showcase your careful reading and analysis skills. THESE DO NOT NEED TO BE REVISED. JUST COPY, PASTE, AND INCLUDE THEM.
- Your revised Essay 2
- Your completed Essay 3.
- Your Book Club paper. (see assignment sheet)
- Final Portfolio Introduction. How you write it is up to you, just be sure to answer the following:
What revision did you do in your formal writing?
How has it improved or not improved your writing?
What have you learned about your reading and writing skills this semester?
What do you still need to work on in your writing as you move to English 102?
6. Final Exam (please spend no more than 30 minutes writing this portion)
At the beginning of the semester in class you were asked to write why you were in college, what you wanted to major in, and what career you were interested in pursuing, what your strengths and weaknesses were, and what your goal for the semester was. Throughout this semester you have spent time exploring your own passions, learning about the major academic disciplines, examining your own possible major, and plotting a path for your future. While your final portfolio writing is focused on the major and career path you studied in conjunction with your goals, and how your writing skills have grown, this final essay is focused on how those college and professional career goals have changed and evolved.
Thinking about what you wrote at the beginning of the semester in class about college and career goals, and what you have learned from studying a variety of disciplines this semester, including one major and career more specifically, write an essay that considers the following:
- Why are you in college?
- How(or how not) have your thoughts about college and career changed this semester?
- What have you learned about yourself this semester through college?
You will be graded on both content and quality here, including form. Put to work the writing skills you have developed this semester: thesis, introduction, conclusion, support for your claims, and awareness of audience. Use the readings, writings, and experiences you have had this semester in college as examples of support.
See schedule for due date.
101
How I will Evaluate Your Portfolio
I am using something called "spec" grading to evaluate and assign a grade for your portfolio. The grade is the result of quality and revision. As explained in the syllabus, your work on your portfolio will determine 50% of your final grade.
In order to earn a "B" range grade for that 50%
You must turn in all required items listed above in the portfolio assignment.
You must show revision of formal writing assignments required.
You must have an introduction that explains your revisions.
You must showcase the skills learned in the course throughout your portfolio.
Your portfolio must be, mostly, error free including grammar, mechanics, and citations.
In order to earn an "A" range grade for that 50%
You must turn in all required items listed above in the prompt.
You must show revision of all formal writing assignments required.
You must have an introduction that explains your revisions and goes in depth with self reflection.
You must showcase the skills learned in the course throughout your portfolio in context of the course material.
Your portfolio must be error free including grammar, mechanics, and citations.
In order to earn a "C" range grade for that 50%
You must turn in most required items listed above in the prompt.
You must show revision of some of the formal writing assignments required.
You must have an introduction that reflects on some of the questions required.
You must showcase some skills learned in the course throughout your portfolio
Your portfolio must be, mostly, error free including grammar, mechanics, and citations.
If you do not meet the requirements for a “C” paper, you will fail the paper for that 50% of your grade.
