WRITING CENTER "INFORMATION PICK-UP"  (S.S.C.C.)

 

PORTFOLIOS:

•   WHAT ARE PORTFOLIOS?

•   WHY ARE THEY USED?

•   WHAT DO PORTFOLIO EVALUATORS LOOK FOR?

•   HOW CAN STUDENTS PUT TOGETHER A STRONG PORTFOLIO?

 

            Portfolios (collections) of student writing are used to ensure the quality and organization of students' writing as they progress in their English studies on to university-level composition.

 

            The following example handouts for portfolios deal with what instructors look for in portfolio content.  Do note that different instructors may have slightly different criteria. 

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGLISH 096 STUDENTS  (S.S.C.C.)

 

Your portfolios are due _________________________.

 

They should include the following:

 

1.  Your best 2 out-of-class essays.  These must be typed, and only your social security number (not your name) should appear on the first page of each essay.  Staple together all versions of the essay from the first draft to the final latest draft (on top).  Don't worry if your name appears on earlier drafts.

 

2.  Your best two in-class essays.

 

3.  An introduction to the portfolio (a minimum of one typed or hand-written page) that addresses the following questions in an essay or extended paragraph form.

 

Why did you select these essays for your portfolio?  What makes them important or favorite pieces?  What do these essays show about your writing?

 

What have you learned this quarter that has affected your writing?  How has your writing changed?

 

What problems, if any, did you have writing these essays?  How did you solve those problems?

 

What are the strengths and weaknesses of these essays?

 

The essays should be collected in a folder with pockets with the in-class essays in the left pocket and the out-of-class essays and the introduction in the right pocket.  Do not put your name on the folder. 

 

The portfolios will be returned to you by _____________________ with an indication of pass or fail.

 

 

 

ENGLISH 096 STUDENT MIDTERM PORTFOLIO REPORT  (SSCC)

 

 

Writer:  ____________________________________________

 

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: 

 

 

PASSING                                MARGINAL                           NOT PASSING

 

AREAS TO IMPROVE:

 

UNITY:           One central idea or impression provides focus.

                        The essay takes a position.  The central idea has an

                                    attitude or a comment about the topic.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT:     Enough support is provided for the central idea.

                                                The support is well-chosen.

 

 

STRUCTURE:           The essay is divided into logical paragraphs.

                                    The transitions between paragraphs are clear.

                                    The essay follows an appropriate pattern or order or

                                                rhetorical mode.

 

 

STYLE:                       The writing shows sentence variety.

                                    The essay shows concrete language use.

                                    The student demonstrates "ownership" of the paper.

 

 

MECHANICAL CORRECTNESS: 

 

                                    The writing shows correct professional format.

                                    There are few or no sentence level errors:

 

Capitalization                                  Word Forms

Spelling                                          Agreement

Punctuation                                     Plural/Singular

Fragments                                      Correct Verb Tenses

Run-Ons                                        Articles

 

(Revised 1998)