2. How does the portfolio review process work?
3. What benefits does the portfolio review provide to students?
4. What should be included in the mid-term portfolio?
- cover letter (350 words minimum)
- At least two essays (1,700 words minimum, comprised of at least two essays of 850 words each) that you select from what you have written during the first half of the semester. Note: This minimum does not include the cover letter.
Put a "star" (☆) on your best essay and attach a range of drafts that led up to the final version. These drafts should have instructor marks on them, so we can see the development of your work. All work in your portfolio, with the exception of your cover letter, must have been seen by your instructor beforehand. All unseen work will be removed from the portfolio before it is forwarded to the panel. When preparing your portfolio, refer to the checklist below.
5. What should be included in the final portfolio?
- A cover letter (350 words minimum)
- At least three essays of 850 words each (2,550 words minimum) that you select from what you have written during the semester. One of the essays must be your analytical essay. Note: This minimum of 2,550 words does not include the cover letter.
Put a "star" (☆) on your best paper and attach a range of drafts that led up to the final version. The starred paper may be the same one submitted at mid-term only if it has been recently revised. The final portfolio must include an analytical essay as well as a variety of other types of writing (narrative, descriptive, expository, etc.). As with the mid-term portfolio, all work in your portfolio, with the exception of your cover letter, must have been seen by your instructor beforehand. When preparing your portfolio, refer to the checklist below.
6. What should be included in the cover letter?
• Other essays included in the portfolio.
• Strengths and weaknesses you see in your writing.
• Writing issues you have been working on in English 110.
• Challenges and successes you have faced as a writer in this class.
7. What is the analytical essay that must be in my final portfolio?
8. What criteria will the faculty panel use to evaluate portfolios?
Evaluative Criteria: The most important quality to strive for in your writing is “readability.” The portfolio review panel expects all of the writing in your portfolio to be clear and understandable when read the first time through without significant confusion or distraction. Also make sure that each paper
• Has a clearly stated thesis.
• Stays focused on the thesis.
• Has well-developed topic sentences and transitions.
• Uses a clear organizational scheme (introduction, body, and conclusion).
• Supports topic sentences with specific examples, quotes, or other details.
• Has correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling.
Feedback: Because faculty readers review many portfolios in one sitting, they will not be able to provide you with a detailed response to your writing. (Your instructor will provide the specific feedback you need.) However, readers will provide some commentary on portfolios, especially those that receive “warning” evaluations at mid-term and “no pass” evaluations at the end of the semester.
Sample Essays: An anthology of successful English 110 essays is on reserve at Egan library in Juneau and in either the library or the Learning Center in Sitka or Ketchikan.
9. How will the portfolio review affect grading in English 110?
10. How should the portfolio be formatted?
Anonymity: The portfolio at mid-term and at the end of the semester must be submitted anonymously in order to ensure an objective evaluation process. Make sure you replace your name with your student identification number on all drafts. Also delete any references to your instructor’s name or course section number on drafts.
Documenting sources: If your papers make reference to outside research, you must use the MLA system of documentation to give credit to these sources. See your instructor and/or a grammar and style handbook such as Diana Hacker's A Writer's Reference or another composition handbook for more details on research paper style and format.
Can students challenge the results of the portfolio review?
Students may appeal the English 110 portfolio review by contacting Rod Landis, UAS Co-Director of Composition (rod.landis@uas.alaska.edu). Rod will review your portfolio and the portfolio review panel’s commentary before making a decision.
11. Who will help students prepare their portfolios?
(907) 796-6348 (Juneau Campus)
(907) 228-4518 (Ketchikan Campus)
(907) 747-7717 or 747-7785 (Sitka Campus)
Online tutoring is available at the Juneau or Sitka Learning Center.
We hope that you find the English portfolio evaluation process beneficial! We welcome your feedback on how the process worked for you. Contact the Co-Director of Composition:
Rod Landis
Paul 507, Ketchikan Campus
(907) 228-4547
rod.landis@uas.alaska.edu
13. Appendix A: Mid-term Portfolio Checklist
- Revise and polish your essays extensively.
- Include at least two essays of at least 850 words each (1,700 words, minimum) in your portfolio (not counting the cover letter).
- Include a cover letter that is 350 words long (minimum).
- “Star” (☆) one of your essays and attach a range of drafts.
- Place your essays in the correct order in the manila folder: cover letter, starred essay with drafts attached, other essay(s).
- Replace your name with your Student ID# on all final drafts.
- Remove your name and your instructor’s name from all rough drafts.
- Put the date of the most recent revision on all final drafts.
- Put page numbers on all drafts.
- Put your Student ID# on the folder (but not your name).
14. Appendix B: Final Portfolio Checklist
- Revise and polish your essays extensively.
- Include at least 3 essays, each 850 words in length (2,550 words, minimum), in your portfolio (not counting the cover letter).
- Include a cover letter that is 350 words long (minimum).
- Include an analytical essay.
- Include a variety of types of writing (e.g., descriptive, persuasive, narrative).
- "Star” (☆) one of your essays and attach a range of drafts.
- Place your essays in the correct order in the manila folder: cover letter, starred essay with drafts attached, other essays.
- Replace your name with your Student ID# on all final drafts.
- Remove your name and your instructor’s name from all rough drafts.
- Put the date of the most recent revision on all final drafts.
- Put page numbers on all drafts.
- Put your Student ID# on the folder (but not your name).
Student ID#
English 110
February 19, 2015Word Count: 900 Words
Notice that on the first line of the heading above, the student’s name has
been replaced with a Student ID#. The second line of the heading
gives the course title but not a section number or instructor’s name. The third
line gives the date of the most recent revision of the essay. Finally, the fourth
line identifies the draft number and type of essay.
The title of the essay should be capitalized and centered. Don’t underline or
boldface the title. Also avoid fancy and large fonts. Notice that the entire
heading, including the title, is double-spaced and is written in 12 pt. font. Be
sure not to put extra spaces between before or after the title. The entire
essay should be double-spaced. Be sure not to put extra spaces between
paragraphs. Each page should be numbered. Put your ID number and the page
number in the upper right-hand corner (Use headers and footers to insert page
numbers.). Margins should be one inch wide throughout the paper.