The portfolio project is your opportunity to demonstrate how much you have learned this semester. For this project, you will be revising each of your essay assignments. You will also write a introduction essay for your portfolio in which you describe in detail some of the things you have learned this semester. You will put all of your essay revisions and the letter into a 3-ring binder for submission.

Part One: Review each of your essay assignments. When you revise, you are doing more than simply correcting editing errors that have been marked by your instructor. When you revise, you re-think the ideas you have presented.

            What are you trying to say?

            Why are you trying to say it?

            Who are you trying to say it to?

            Why is this something your readers need to / want to know?

If all you do is make corrections, you are not showing that you have learned anything. It doesn’t take any thought to simply make corrections. Also, don’t assume that I have marked every error. In many cases, once I have made a correction, I expect you to carry that over for the rest of your essay.

For each revision, you must change at least 25% of the original work. This means I expect to see some significant changes in each of the essays.

Of course you also want to be sure that you are editing carefully. Make a list of the types of grammar errors you have been getting marked for on your previous essay assignments. As you revise and edit for your portfolio, check the essays specifically for those mistakes.

Part Two: Develop a two page introduction essay for your portfolio. In your essay talk about some of the specific things you have learned this semester about yourself as a writer and as a student. You will want to use specific examples in your essay. Don’t just say, “I learned more about grammar.” What exactly did you learn, and how did you learn it? Did you learn it through the comments on your essay? Did you learn it by working with the tutors in the Writing Center or the Academic Support Center? Did you learn it when you talked to me during a conference? As I read your letter, I will be looking for lots of details. Like the other essays, be sure that the introduction essay has an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Part Three: You will put your portfolio together in a small 3-ring binder. The first thing in your portfolio will be your introduction essay. After the introduction essay, you will include your cover letter and resume. Following the cover letter and resume, you will include each of the revised essay assignments. For each essay you will include the revision followed by the original graded draft.

I expect the presentation of your portfolio to be professional. You are trying to demonstrate to me how much you have learned and your readiness for English 100. Sloppy workmanship on this assignment will only demonstrate laziness, so take care with your presentation.

As you prepare your portfolio, I strongly urge you to make time to work with the tutors in the Writing Center. We will also have class time and conference time to work on this. Be sure that you are prepared to work at every opportunity. If you come to class unprepared to work, I will send you away and you will miss the opportunity for feedback.

This portfolio assignment accounts for 20% of your final course grade. This means it can make you or break you. This portfolio should represent the very best work you are capable of doing.