UC Merced, MWP E-Portfolio / Writing One – “Writing California”
(Angela Winek Sample Assignment )
E-Portfolio Overview
Nearly all Merritt Writing Program courses include a portfolio as a final assignment, as it is a rich
representation of learning and self-reflection. A portfolio gives your reader insight into your learning
throughout a semester or within a minor/major program; it can also be shared with employers and
graduate schools. You might think of this assignment as an opportunity for you to teach readers about
how to interpret evidence of learning. Given that framework, you will want to be candid, specific, and
evidence-based in your approach.
Your e-portfolio provides an overall self-assessment of the progress you have made this semester, noting
any perceived advances in your endurance training (reading, researching, and writing extensively) and
strength training (reading, researching, and writing more critically and proficiently). As you compile the
various sections of the portfolio, you will be asked to include various artifacts and write cover notes
explaining how these artifacts illustrate your accomplishments of various learning outcomes and
requirements of the course. The e-portfolio construction process will allow you to reflect on where you
were at the beginning of the semester, the steps you took during the semester to improve, where you are
now, and where you would like to improve in the future. You are required to complete a course eportfolio in order to pass this course.
CROPS Portfolio Site
The “F10-Portfolios” site on CROPS will serve as the place where you construct your e-portfolio. Please
refer to the following tutorials on how to use the portfolio site:


Text tutorial: http://writingprogram.ucmerced.edu/node/19
Video tutorial: http://writingprogram.ucmerced.edu/node/17
E-Portfolio Contents
Your e-portfolio will have six sections, each with its own cover note. Within each section, the cover letter
should focus on explaining what the learning outcome means to you, why it is important, and how the
artifacts you’ve included illustrate your achievement of that particular learning outcome. Each cover
letter should describe class activities, discussions, and assignments and how they pertain to the 5 learning
outcomes examined (the first section is a general introduction). The following explanation provides a
basis for the organization. Be certain that each section contains all the listed requirements.
1
1. Introduction – (500 words) The purpose of the Introduction is to share about yourself and your eportfolio. Your goal is to introduce your work and reflect on the progress you have made since the
beginning of the semester. Use the Introduction to explain your main goals for this portfolio and what
you’d like your audience to take away after reading your portfolio. In addition, you might consider
discussing the following:
 The journey you’ve taken as a reader, writer, researcher, and thinker over the course of the
semester, including the challenges you’ve faced and the breakthroughs you’ve experienced
along the way.
 The major lessons learned about yourself, your newly acquired skills, and your abilities to
think critically and creatively.
 The changes you can make that will allow you to derive the most benefit from your
coursework in the future. In other words, what have you learned in this course this summer
that can help you in other courses in the future.
Required Artifacts
 Modern Geography Narrative
 Head Shot
2. Process – (350 words) Demonstrate thorough engagement with the iterative processes of reading,
writing, and speaking. The ability to:
* Compare, contrast, and synthesize readings.
 Revise writing assignments by incorporating relevant advice for changes.
 Demonstrate increasing proficiency in implementing the writing process and creating
essays that adhere to the guidelines expected in this academic community.
Required Artifacts
 Early draft of Essay #2
 Final draft of Essay #2
 Conference Feedback Reflection
3. Rhetoric – (350 words) Analyze and apply the requisite styles, structures, and standards of relevant
professions, genres, and academic disciplines. The ability to:
 Use academic discourse conventions; identify main idea, major support, and minor support;
summarize and paraphrase primary ideas accurately.
 Analyze readings, lectures, and presentations.
 Communicate your ideas well, both verbally and written, to various audiences for a variety of
purposes.
Required Artifacts
 Object Presentation Sheet
 3 selected journal entries pertaining
to reading activities
2
4. Collaboration – (350 words) Collaborate successfully as members of an academic community. The
ability to:
 Participate effectively in discussions.
 Assist peers in learning and using scholarly habits to enhance academic success.
 Support classmates as members of the same learning community.
 Compare and contrast your culture and language backgrounds with those of your peers.
Required Artifacts
 1 Peer feedback letter
 3 selected journal entries pertaining
to group work / class discussions
5. Ethics – (350 words) Apply ethical standards to the practice of academic research and public
discourse. The ability to:
 Demonstrate understanding of different citation formats.
 Understand issues of cultural diversity (such as ethnicity, cultural heritage, gender
differences)
Required Artifacts
 Final draft Essay #3
 Library Reflection Sheet
 “How Can I Contribute to CA??”
Reflection
6. Craft – (350 words) Craft language that reveals aesthetic awareness. The ability to:
 Expand academic vocabulary.
 Make connections/comparisons between rhetoric of various genres: non-fiction, poetry,

narrative, short-story, etc.
Examine and reflect upon personal composition strengths and concerns.
Required Artifacts
 Diagnostic Response Sheet
 Mid-Semester Response
 Submission Draft of Essay #4
3