Introduction to the Final Portfolio.

Vanessa Alander Fall 2012

Intent: Think of the portfolio as an argument (possibly in the form of a story) that you have evolved as a writer and thinker this semester. In order to make that argument, youll introduce me to your experience in this class, share your thoughts, and then Ill start to read a collection of texts that represent your best work. The final collection of work is meant for you to show your learning throughout the semester and then to demonstrate the argument for you final course grade (more information below). You will need to use the questions at the end of this product descriptor to begin your reflecting back and forward about your learning and writing. This will be the only work completed in class on this project. The final is due (no exceptions) on 12/11 in class. Process: Your final portfolio will be submitted in hard copy. The other option is to create a new website (Wordpress or Google Sites) with pages for each piece listed below. I am open to either or. It is your choice. You also need to incorporate the essential questions from the syllabus into your reflective argument collection.

What does it mean to be creative? Where does inspiration come from? How do writers and artists think?
Regardless of which submission avenue you choose, they both will contain the same information/sections. All writing samples must be clean, revised and edited. Think zero typos at a minimum. What will the Introduction to the Portfolio look like? This is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Past students have taken many, varied paths. This is open genre. No matter the path your reflective collection takes, you have two major objectives to accomplish: 1. Showcase your learning 2. Demonstrate an argument for your final, course grade. What will the Argument for a Grade look like? In addition to this piece taking the reader on your journey through the semester, it will also be the closing argument for your final grade for the entire semester. As such, you need to incorporate your argument in the following areas in relation to your grade. Your grade and argument should be obvious. I shouldnt have to search for it. Your argument must take into account the following three areas. Details: Your final reflective argument paper must be 1250-1750 words or its work equivalent. Three, revised, cleaned up Products Your Top Eight Journal Entries (think Lettermans Top 10 style) All finalized pieces should be typed and double-spaced in a 11 to 12-point font. A title should appear above each piece. All writing should be revised and edited. I should be able to publish ALL pieces in your portfolio without editing, revising, etc. Your writings should be gathered or bound together in a way that permits easy reading and commenting. They should be collected in a folder (not a binder!).

Place name on the outside of the folder along with section number. You need to creatively title your entire reflective collection as well. Remember the role titles play, reveal a little to the reader, but not too much. Include a table of contents as the first page of your portfolio.

Writing Samples: You must include a wide sampling of writing samples from this semester. The samples should highlight your journey through this course, demonstrate what youve learned and showcase what you feel to be your best creative work to date. As a refresher Here is the list of products youve worked on. It DOES NOT include the in-class assignments, quick writes and writing journals: **Visual Creative Process **Writing PTSD **Writing Places/Spaces **In Your Own Words **BYOM(idterm) **Micro-Fiction **Creativity by Others **Crowd sourced Poetry **Writing Journals **Talk Your Way Into A Painting **Moment: Frozen **Internal Dialogue **Daily Journal Entries

Your final portfolio MUST include (at a minimum) three products you created, revised and polished. It must also include the Top 8 Journal Entries from the semester. Pre-Writing Questions (11/29): A. How has this English writing course been the same as or different from other English writing courses you have taken? B. List three things you understand about writing that you didnt know before. Can you give an example of how this understanding changes the way you write or think? C. During the first week of class, what did you think you would write about? Is that what you ended up doing? How did you decide what to write about? Has your focused changed over the course of the semester? D. Did you experience anything new when it comes to audience this semester? E. What did you read this semester? How did you find the texts? Did your reading influence your thinking? Explain. Details (for example the specific name of a writer, an article title, a journal title) are a great start to a successful portfolio. F. How might you use the experiences of this class in the future? Future classes? Life in general?