Portfolio
Sunderman/1A
As we have said in class, writing is a process. Writing includes several steps, including prewriting,
drafting, and revising. To that end, you have already turned in two drafts for each of your major essays.
However, the second, graded drafts have been worth relatively little toward your final grade, emphasizing
that these second drafts are not “final,” and still have the need for further revising. The portfolio is your
chance to turn in fully revised, polished work, and to demonstrate how your writing skills have developed
and improved as a result of this course.
The Portfolio Assignment Includes the Following:
1. Student-Teacher Conference
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Please note the date, time and room for your conference. You are required to bring the graded
versions of essays 1, 2 and 3 to your conference. You are also welcome to bring rough drafts or
any other class materials that may help in our discussion. You are also required to come
prepared with 2-3 questions you would like to discuss regarding the portfolio, the cover
letter, the final revision process, etc.
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY – Do not be late. You have only the 10 minutes assigned to
you to participate in the conference. You will lose one participation point for every two minutes
you are late. If you do not attend your conference, you will lose 5 participation points, and your
grade on the portfolio will drop a full letter grade.
Your final journal assignment is a write-up of your student teacher conference. Write at least
one full page reflecting on what was discussed, and how you will go about working on your
portfolio assignment.
2. Portfolio Cover Letter
Your portfolio must include a cover letter of approximately 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced, with oneinch margins. This cover letter should point to specific aspects of the papers you have chosen to include,
and should show how those aspects illustrate the development and improvement of your writing skills as a
result of this course. This cover letter is your chance to prove (to yourself and to me) how much you’ve
learned over the last 15 weeks.
3. Portfolio
You will choose two assignments to include in the portfolio. You will revise these two assignments a
third and final time, making sure you have addressed all of the writing issues we have covered in this
course. So, the essays included in your portfolio should have:
 A clear thesis or controlling idea.
 A strong sense of focus.
 Effective organization.
 Effective integration of source material (if applicable).
 Control of grammar, sentence variety, word choice and conventions of standard written
English.
You will place your portfolio materials in a folder (one that I can flip through, not one with pockets), or a
small binder (no larger than ½ inch please). The materials should be presented in this order: portfolio
cover letter, final draft of first chosen assignment, second draft, first draft, final draft of second chosen
assignment, second draft, first draft.
Due Dates
Portfolio Cover Letter – You must bring in two copies of your first draft of the letter on Dec. 8 for
participation in the peer workshop. Failure to bring in a first draft will lower your grade for the portfolio
one full step.
Journals – Your journal is due Dec. 8. This set should include 9 OC journals (including the write-up of
the conference, and 9 IC journals.
Portfolio – Your portfolio is due Wednesday, Dec. 15 by 4:00pm. Turn in your portfolios to my office
in CLV 102. At that time, you will be able to pick up your journals. You are welcome to turn in your
portfolio earlier, but late portfolios will not be accepted. If I do not receive your portfolio by 4:00pm on
Dec. 15, you will receive an F on your portfolio. The portfolio is worth 40 points.