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22 April 2019

Portfolio Committee
Northern Oklahoma College
English Department
1118 West Hall of Fame
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074

Dear Mrs. Davis,

I have included a selections of writing samples that have been completed over the last year. The
pieces I have chosen include argumentative writings as well as a personal narrative that reflects
by beliefs. These writing artifacts showcase my writing abilities, analytical skills, and creativity.
This portfolio gives the reader some insight into who I am as a person. The range of writing
covers an argumentative response to a published essay as well as a personal narrative.

For my first writing sample, I included my most recent essay for English class here at
NOC. This essay required me to respond to what I believe in as a person. I chose this essay
because it is the most personal essay to me. I was able to describe my college journey thus far,
which has been eventful and fulfilling. In addition, I had to contemplate what motto I choose to
live by and then be able to put that into words. I enjoyed this essay the most. For my second
paper, I included an assignment that was also completed during my first semester at NOC for
English class. The paper is a persuasive paper that responds to an article about being neighborly.
This paper forced me to consider how I personally could be a good neighbor. I had to reflect and
think about who would most need help and how to effectively help them. I was excited for this
essay because I had not previously been asked to reflect about my own life in a way that could
impact others. I ended up choosing my sister who has been suffering from depression and
anxiety for several years. My third essay was another argumentative essay defining where
morality comes from. This paper was also written during the first semester of this year for
English class. I chose this paper because of the journey that I took to write it. It was one of the
most challenging papers I have ever written. I had to completely start my essay over after writing
the rough draft as I was not really fulfilling the argumentative requirement. I also liked this paper
because of the message. It makes you really think about why some people seem to me more
morally righteous than others. My final writing selection was an argumentative essay in response
to a published article. This essay was one of my first college essays written first semester of this
year for English. Writing this paper allowed me to analyze another writer’s statements and
opinions and formulate a response to the article. I was forced to first write an outline for this
paper as the outline was due before the paper. I know this sounds odd, but I had always
completed my outlines after the rough draft was finished. Completing the outline in this manner
forced me to organize my arguments which resulted in a more cohesive, rational paper rather
than writing from the heart, which I am prone to do. -Improvement of writing- I believe that my
writing has shown improvement in this class by writing about topics that I am passion about.
Taking this course has helped me to improve my writing. This class has made me pay attention
to the details of my pieces. Being a great writer starts with being a observer and being able to
take mental notes so you can note the changes around them. I have also shown improvement to
writing by being open to changes and taking corrections from others and the online tutor.
One tool that I would keep for my writer’s toolbox would be the ability to use an outline
effectively. It definitely helped me to be more efficient in getting my point across. Sometimes I
find that I ramble in my writing because I was in the habit of writing as I think it through.
Forcing me to first create an outline helped me to make sure I gave more concrete examples and
achieved my goal in the essay more completely. Another tool that I would keep in my toolbox
would be the information I gained from completing the annotated bibliography. To be honest, I
dreaded that assignment. However, I do believe that it helped me to locate current sources,
evaluate them for credibility, and then further evaluate if the sources would be beneficial to
proving my points in my essay or not. I believe that this tool will help me in writing throughout
all of my future courses. Lastly, I would like to keep an online tutor or some similar resource in
my writer’s toolbox. There is just no replacing having another set of eyes on your paper prior to
turning it in or publishing it. It also helps that the person looking at your paper is not completing
the same assignment. Therefore, if your point is not coming across, it will be more apparent.

My strength as a writer, I believe, is that I have ideas and a good voice that give my papers
personal tone and flavor. My weakness is that sometimes my love for writing about something I
am passionate about or find interesting will get the best of me. I get so caught up in the flow of
writing that I focus more on what I am writing than being concise. I believe that I have a problem
with run- on sentences. Another weakness I have is not being able to find the right words that I
wish to write and not staying focused.

Personally, I do think that I am prepared. This class has helped prepare me to write more
effectively in various modes of writing. In addition, both of my English semesters have taught
me to think critically and evaluate other pieces of writing. I can also more effectively navigate
the research process which was once so daunting. Possibly most importantly, I have been able to
find my own voice in writing. I am writing pieces that give specific examples and follow a
formula, yet they are still from the heart and are personal. What I see for myself in the future for
writing is continuing to improve and paying more attention to my areas of weakness. Writing is
something you learn, and it is something that you can always improve. I see myself making new
self-improvements and discovery in my future of writing. I can see that I have already evolved as
a stronger writer, and I hope to continue to grow as a writer in the future.

Sincerely,

Morgan Bell

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