English III: Final
Portfolio
Mrs. Casey
2013
What is American?
O For your English III final, you will create a
portfolio that answers the essential
question: What is American?
O This portfolio will encompass all of the skills
learned this year through a cumulative
research project.
O This project will include: a portfolio, a
presentation, and a persuasive essay
End Product
O You will compile several items based on your
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answer to the essential question into a
portfolio, including:
Short fiction
Academic essay/article
Poem
Visual
Historical event
Persuasive essay
Details: Short Fiction
O You will find a short story where the theme
supports your thesis statement of your
persuasive essay.
O Each paragraph will be annotated
O Words defined
O Literary elements found- metaphor,
allusion,etc.
O Theme will be clearly stated on the page
Details: Essay/Article
O You will find an essay or article that
supports your thesis statement of your
persuasive essay.
O You will annotate each paragraph
O Write the main idea on the page
Details: Poem
O Using the SOAPSTONE worksheet, you will
analyze a poem that supports your thesis
statement of your persuasive essay.
O 14+ lines
O Annotate poem (use the 4 step method on
the How to Annotate a Poem handout)
O Fill out SOAPSTONE worksheet
Details: Visual
O You will include a copy of a photograph,
painting, sculpture, architecture, etc. that
supports your thesis statement of your
persuasive essay.
O Copy of visual
O Explanation of how this visual supports your
thesis statement
Details: Historical Event
O You will include research about a historical
event involving America, either directly or
indirectly, which supports your thesis
statement of your persuasive essay.
O Annotate the article
Details: Annotated
Bibliographies
O You will create an annotated bibliography (5
total) for the following sources:
O Short fiction
O Article/essay
O Poem
O Visual
O Historical event
Persuasive Essay
O You will write a seven (7) paragraph essay
defending your answer to the essential
question: What is American?
O MLA format
O Outline
O 1st draft with peer edit
O 2nd draft with peer edit
O Final draft
* Each missing item results in 10 point penalty.
Outline Example
A. Paragraph 1:Introduction
i. Start with big idea
ii. Narrow down topic
iii. Thesis statement is your last sentence!
B. Paragraph 2: short fiction
i. Topic sentence
ii. Direct evidence + analysis
iii. Direct evidence + analysis
iv. Concluding sentence
Outline, con’t
C. Paragraph 3: Academic essay/article
i. Topic sentence
ii. Direct evidence + analysis
iii. Direct evidence + analysis
iv. Evidence or concluding sentence
D. Paragraph 4: Poem
i. Topic sentence
ii. Direct evidence + analysis
iii. Direct evidence + analysis
iv. Evidence or concluding sentence
Outline, con’t
E. Paragraph 5: Visual
(see organization of previous paragraphs)
F. Paragraph 6: Historical event
(see organization of previous paragraphs)
G. Paragraph 7: Conclusion
i. Re-state thesis statement
ii. Summarize findings
iii. End on a big note/idea/rhetorical
question
Presentation
O During finals week, you will present your
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findings from your research portfolio.
This presentation will use the Senior Project
rubric and will count toward your final grade.
It is required for each student to present.
You will sign up for a time slot the week
before finals. 
You will bedazzle us with your amazing
findings!!!!!!
The End