16001 N. 6th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85022
May 5, 2003
Holly Mandes, Instructor
Modern Languages 445
Tucson, AZ 85721
Dear Ms. Mandes:
English 102 is a course designed to challenge students concerning his/her writing. In this course,
students are required to write a rhetorical analysis paper, a researched argument paper, and
construct a portfolio. The portfolio assignment contains a reflective essay and a global revision
of one of the previous papers from the semester (either the rhetorical analysis or the researched
argument paper).
The reflective essay is included in this portfolio to explain, assess, and evaluate the steps I take
when writing an essay. The process of writing that I use is very different than the “ideal” writing
that schools teach, but I have incorporated many of these methods of writing in the technique
that I use to develop a paper. Although I believe that I have adjusted very well to the variety of
formats that an essay may follow, I am still insecure on my abilities to fully express my opinion.
I have never been enthusiastic about writing a paper, so, ultimately, writing a paper has always
been more like an irritation rather than a time to display my thoughts on paper. I have spent
many hours analyzing my writing process, and learned more about myself as a writer than I ever
considered in the past. Hopefully when reading my reflective essay, the reader will understand
my writing process, and see how my process produces both strengths, and unfortunately,
weaknesses throughout my writings.
The revised essay in this portfolio was included to show the development of my writing process
over the entire semester. I chose to revise my researched argument paper because I have a strong
opinion on the subject of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS). I think that there are
too many people in the world that do not accurately judge this topic because they do not know all
the information concerned with this alternative to medication that does not always ease
unnecessary pain. I am not concerned with changing people’s opinion, but instead, I just want
people to consider both sides of the issue with no biases. I chose to put the information in a
brochure directed at terminally ill patients, who are interested in an alternative to medication that
is supposed to ease their pain. I did not directly come out and say this is the best way to go
because that would be illegal, but I did lead the reader to believe that it is a possible choice if that
is what the patient wants. I wanted them to know that there are ways to achieve this kind of care,
but this option is only available if the patient takes action on their own. Terminally ill patients
should be aware of this option and the legality of PAS in Oregon.
This portfolio is a way to combine all the ideas I have learned throughout the semester in one
package. I have learned many things about myself as a writer, including my strengths and
weaknesses. This class has taught me to be more careful with my sentence variation, revisions,
and also to be more confident in myself as a writer.
Sincerely,
Jordanna Newberger