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Stacey Forrester
Reflective Essay
Senior Exit Portfolio
My portfolio is designed to showcase the work I have completed as a
student at Georgia State University in the area of Rhetoric and Composition. I am
especially proud of the pieces that are included; they not only represent my
acquired skills but also demonstrate my growth as a student
The collected works are designed to fit its intended audience. These
include faculty members who will review my work in order to determine if I
have accomplished the goals as a rhetoric and composition student. The
secondary audience includes student who frequent the department’s web site.
With this in mind, the main focus of my portfolio will be Business and
Professional Writing.
The Professional Work Section is my area of focus. This area has been
chosen because it exhibits my work in a real and sophisticated way within a
given context. I was able to apply the theoretical knowledge gained to real life
situations. This skill is especially important to me as a graduating senior since it
provided me with practical hands on experience that is applicable to my career
choices. Most importantly, this area has helped me make myself marketable in
the work environment. The three items included in this section are:
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A Virtual office
My philosophy of teaching
An Analysis of a Work Place Document
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These selections demonstrate my ability to plan and execute a project in
several situations. The first selection, the virtual office demonstrates my ability to
market my skills. It is my personal web page which will give current and
prospective clients easy access to my credentials. It also lets people know a little
more about me. This work includes a home page, resume, and portfolio pieces.
The second selection, my philosophy of teaching gives an idea of my
thinking in relation to my future career. Since I intend to teach after I graduate, I
thought it fitting to include this piece in my portfolio. My philosophy gives a
general idea of my teaching style and my expectations of students as a
prospective teacher.
The final selection, an analysis of a work place document shows my ability
to logically coherently and intelligently examine a document. In this selection I
examined the syllabus of Engl 3820- American Literature. This document was
examined to determine the effectiveness of the rhetoric used as it relates to audience,
purpose and context.
Another section of my portfolio is the Historical/ Theoretical Work
Section. This section shows a glimpse of my understanding in the history, theory,
and approaches that shape composition. More specifically though, this section
shows my view point as a writer as it relates to some discourses in the field of
composition pedagogy. Included in this section is a research paper about the
research paper.
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This selection, a research paper examines one issue/debate in the field of
Rhetoric and Composition. This research paper examines the validity of research
assignments in English departments. This work includes both sides of the
argument from well known scholars in the field of rhetoric and composition.
The thematic section in this portfolio demonstrates my skills in creating a
number of documents with consistent design features. In this section I
demonstrate my ability to design a corporate identity for a business. Using
design techniques that include proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, and
textual and graphic elements, I created a design package that included an
envelope, a business card, a letter head, a letter and a news letter.
The audience and purpose are the two main things that shape the visual
rhetoric of the project. The intended audience includes present and prospective
patrons of Kids First Child Care. The information contained in the documents
would be of importance to these parties. The documents provide necessary
information about the organizational structure. This includes the company’s
mission, and managerial information.
The context of the design choice is wrapped up in the audience and
purpose. The documents in this piece are intended for adults. However, they
employ a variety of colors which serve in an indirect way to indicate that Kids
First Child Care is for children. Even though the documents are presented in a
professional manner to suit an adult audience the kaleidoscope of colors serves
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as a constant reminder that my corporation indeed puts children first. Children
are at its core.
Now that I am almost at the end of my undergraduate studies, I look back
with great satisfaction that my studies have been worth while. It has provided
me with a wealth of knowledge that exceeds the cost of attendance. Above all, it
has provided me with direction for my future career unlike many new graduates
overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the real world.