Student Samples: First Year Composition
Visual Literacy Narrative
Nick Lopes, A Bridgewater State University Student, explores what happened the moment he learned the skills he needed to become a better student and how he succeeded.
Definition Essay
Here Kassandra Allison, Ball State University English Composition I student, explores the possible meanings of the word perfection. In the process, she develops her own definition of perfection using personal experience and interviews.
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Culture, Society, and Me
In this essay students explore who they are in relation to some aspect of the larger culture and society around them. In this example, Virginia Tech student Jason Nam portrays the inner struggles he has endured trying to find his place as he has lived in 3 different countries and speaks 8 different languages. This project was published in the Composition at Virginia Tech textbook 2010-2011 edition.
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Movie Review
This project was composed by Briggs Orsbon from Ball State University for my fall 2008 English Composition I course. It begins with an analysis of movie reviews of Iron Man and for the second part of the project, Briggs crafts his own review of the film in a magazine publication format.
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Advertisement Analysis
Click here to read an essay composed by Ball State University student Kossandra Musik in the Fall of 2008 for Composition 1 in which she takes on the role of arguing to a corporation why a particular cola commercial would be effective advertisement. Not only does Kossandra break down the critical rhetorical components of the ad, but she also effectively targets her audience.
Field Work Ethnography Projects
Here are two examples of a work produced in my English Composition II courses where students spend the semester completing an in depth multifaceted field work project where they choose a group within the community to study.
This essay entitled Cross Fit and Paleo: Sustainable Positive Change, was written by Virginia Tech student Marshall Tuck in Spring 2010. Here Marshall not studies the little known world of the Paleo diet, but also places himself into his research by participating in the diet and beginning a grueling work out regimen to learn what this culture is all about.
The "Culture" Transit by Virginia Tech student Kelsey Frey written in Spring 2010 is both a well crafted narrative and ethnographic piece. Here Kelsey explores the community she finds on the local bus and learns how it links everyone together. In addition, Kelsey utilizes text and image within her website combined with creativity to present readers with an overwhelming sensory experience.
This essay entitled Cross Fit and Paleo: Sustainable Positive Change, was written by Virginia Tech student Marshall Tuck in Spring 2010. Here Marshall not studies the little known world of the Paleo diet, but also places himself into his research by participating in the diet and beginning a grueling work out regimen to learn what this culture is all about.
The "Culture" Transit by Virginia Tech student Kelsey Frey written in Spring 2010 is both a well crafted narrative and ethnographic piece. Here Kelsey explores the community she finds on the local bus and learns how it links everyone together. In addition, Kelsey utilizes text and image within her website combined with creativity to present readers with an overwhelming sensory experience.
Student Portfolios
Below are some links to some samples of student electronic portfolios. Creating a portfolio allows a student to under take a process of collection, selection, and reflection. A digital portfolio also allows an opportunity to craft work in a familiar media and self publish.
Mitchell Sylvester, Bridgewater State University, 2011
Jessica Jacobson, Virginia Tech, 2010
Jason Nam, Virginia Tech, 2009
Tad Jameyfield, Ball State University, 2009
Briggs Orsbon, Ball State University, 2008
Jordan Newton, Ball State University, 2008
Mitchell Sylvester, Bridgewater State University, 2011
Jessica Jacobson, Virginia Tech, 2010
Jason Nam, Virginia Tech, 2009
Tad Jameyfield, Ball State University, 2009
Briggs Orsbon, Ball State University, 2008
Jordan Newton, Ball State University, 2008
