Composition 1
Portfolio Presentation
By: Sarah Mitzel
December 19, 2000
Introduction
-I feel that my writing has dramatically
improved this semester. When I first came
into the class, I knew I had a strong interest
in writing. As the year progressed, I learned
new techniques and received input from
peer assessment essays. This made it clear
that I was heading in the right direction.
Changes/Skills Demonstrated
-I have learned how to write an effective
summary, how to cite sources correctly, four
ways to organize essays, how to write a
good thesis statement, how to use point of
view correctly, and the usage of descriptive
words.
Changes in my Writing this
Semester
-I have learned several effective ways to write a thesis
statement.
-I know how to cite sources correctly.
-I have learned four ways to organize essays.
-I improved my ability to write an effective summary.
-I was shown the importance of using 1st or 3rd person when
writing essays.
-I have learned to express myself in a way as to grab the
reader’s attention and keep them interested.
I have learned to write an
effective summary.
-A summary is to “sum up in your own
words” an article or story that you’ve read.
The following link is an example of a
summary that I feel is effective because it
allows the reader to understand the story
without having to read it as a whole.
Summary
Previous
I know how to cite sources
correctly in my writing.
-To cite sources correctly is to give credit where
credit is due, so to speak. A good way to make
sure that is done is to use MLA documentation. It
is good to cite throughout the document as well as
adding a reference page or section at the end.
Reference
Previous
I have learned four ways to
organize essays.
-The four ways to organize essays are point by
point, subject by subject (block method),
comparison/contrast, and narration.
-I feel my strongest essay uses the
comparison/contrast method. I used the
point by point method of organization so
each paragraph points out the contrast of a
single point between the two ideas.
Comparison/Contrast
Previous
I know the essential features of a
good thesis statement
-A good thesis statement should contain the main
point of the essay. It should grab the reader’s
attention and make them want to read it.
-“Flashing lights! Neon signs! Cars honking!
Clubs jumping! The pizzazz is in the air. I can
feel it engulf me. Even the smell attracts me, the
smell of towns that never sleep.”
-This is a good thesis statement because it jumps out
and grabs the reader’s attention and says “Hey,
read this!”.
Previous
What have I learned???
– I have learned to stay away from second person
if at all possible. It makes the writing more
effective and second person should be used in
letter writing.
Previous
What have I learned???
– I have also learned the importance of using
descriptive words to help the reader get a sense
of what I am saying and so they can picture it in
their head. It is helpful for me if I can picture
it, so that is what I would like to do for my
readers.
Previous
Conclusion
-Before I entered Composition I, I had several
expectations. I needed clarity in my
writing, and to make it go somewhere. I am
now able to that and much more.
-Next semester, in Composition II, I hope to
improve on my weaknesses. I am also
hoping to learn some new technique's to add
variation to my writing.
Conclusion
-My strengths as a writer are: I clearly
express my thoughts and ideas, I compose
structurally correct sentences in Standard
American English, and I construct well
developed paragraphs.
Previous
Conclusion
-My weaknesses are: I struggle at writing
powerful thesis statements, I have a hard
time getting a paragraph started (writer’s
block), and I have problems writing a strong
concluding sentence.
Previous
Writing Skill / Levels 1 & 2
-Level One:
-Expresses clearly thoughts and ideas in informal writing
contexts.
-Composes structurally correct sentences in Standard
American English.
-Generates well-developed, coherent paragraphs.
-Level Two:
-Processes information to produce writing that clearly and
accurately summarizes and/or reports.
-Writes, well-developed, focused essays.
-Searches for information and inserts research
appropriately.