portfolios ENGL 226 Writing About Writing
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LEE TORDA, PhD 200 Maxwell Library Bridgewater State University [email protected] [email protected] www.leetorda.com |
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OVERVIEW
Portfolios can function in a lot of different ways both in a class and in a professional setting. In a writing class, a portfolio can be way to simply collect all of your work in one place. But, more often than not, it is a place for you to reflect on that work--how successful it is, what you would do differently, what you've learned about writing in general. Finally, a portfolio in a writing class is a form of assessment that allows me to consider all different parts of your performance in class--the success of the writing, sure, but, also, your effort for the work, your presence or lack there of in class, how you contribute to class generally. In our class, the final portfolio will do a bit of all three of these things.
Professionally, portfolios are what artists of all kinds--put together to show potential clients and employers. You need a portfolio of writing to apply to graduate programs in writing. You need a portfolio of writing--called a clip book--to apply for jobs as a journalist. They are essential for getting work as a freelancer.
You should think of the portfolio for this class as a little bit of the first part and the start of the second part. Ideally, you will return to some of the work you've done for this class in a later class in the writing concentration--the advanced portfolio workshop. Now, it doesn't always work out this way because students take classes in all sorts of order, but that's the idea. Your portfolio for this class should help you to plan the rest of your time in college--what other courses you want to take, what kinds of writing opportunities you want to take advantage of. This portfolio might contain work that you use to help you get an internship. It's also the final assessment of your work in our class.
DETAILS
Here's what to include in your final portfolio
1. A 500 word reflection on the reading we did in class and what it tells you about writing studies. Select up to three readings we did in class that made you think about writing--about your own writing, about the way writing works in the professional/wider world, about your education in writing. In your reflection, explain how that particular reading affected your thinking/writing. In the second part of the reflection, try to answer this question: What does the field writing studies care about in terms of what it studies, what kinds of writing it produces, what sort of writing classroom is a successful one.
2. A PORTFOLIO REFLECTION: CAREER MAP. Consider what you learned about yourself as a writer this semester. Consider, as well, what you learned about writing as a profession this semester. How do the two things sync up? Finally, consider how close you are to achieving a post-graduation goal/career trajectory at this moment. Then, write a 500-750 word reflection/career map that talks about where you are at now and what you can do in your last years at school and your first years post-graduation that can help you achieve a long term career goal.
This can include lots of things: taking certain courses, exploring certain internship/research/publication opportunities. Maybe you need to write for The Comment. Maybe you need to see if your local newspaper has an internship available. Maybe you want to talk to a faculty member about an undergraduate research or honors project. Maybe you need to study abroad. Maybe you have to take a bunch of MTELs. Maybe you need to put together a clip book. My point here is that one thing I know about BSU students is that they don't
3. Wherever you end up with your Storymatic story. This is just a fun thing. Don't stress. You can re-do it. You can just finish it. You cn turn in whatever you end up doing with your piece. But don't make this a thing.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade. In order to earn the "B" grade for 10% of your final grade you must:
To earn an “A” grade for 10% of your final grade you must:
Failure to turn in a portfolio or to turn in a portfolio will result in a grade of "F" for this 10% of your final grade in this class.
Portfolios can function in a lot of different ways both in a class and in a professional setting. In a writing class, a portfolio can be way to simply collect all of your work in one place. But, more often than not, it is a place for you to reflect on that work--how successful it is, what you would do differently, what you've learned about writing in general. Finally, a portfolio in a writing class is a form of assessment that allows me to consider all different parts of your performance in class--the success of the writing, sure, but, also, your effort for the work, your presence or lack there of in class, how you contribute to class generally. In our class, the final portfolio will do a bit of all three of these things.
Professionally, portfolios are what artists of all kinds--put together to show potential clients and employers. You need a portfolio of writing to apply to graduate programs in writing. You need a portfolio of writing--called a clip book--to apply for jobs as a journalist. They are essential for getting work as a freelancer.
You should think of the portfolio for this class as a little bit of the first part and the start of the second part. Ideally, you will return to some of the work you've done for this class in a later class in the writing concentration--the advanced portfolio workshop. Now, it doesn't always work out this way because students take classes in all sorts of order, but that's the idea. Your portfolio for this class should help you to plan the rest of your time in college--what other courses you want to take, what kinds of writing opportunities you want to take advantage of. This portfolio might contain work that you use to help you get an internship. It's also the final assessment of your work in our class.
DETAILS
Here's what to include in your final portfolio
1. A 500 word reflection on the reading we did in class and what it tells you about writing studies. Select up to three readings we did in class that made you think about writing--about your own writing, about the way writing works in the professional/wider world, about your education in writing. In your reflection, explain how that particular reading affected your thinking/writing. In the second part of the reflection, try to answer this question: What does the field writing studies care about in terms of what it studies, what kinds of writing it produces, what sort of writing classroom is a successful one.
2. A PORTFOLIO REFLECTION: CAREER MAP. Consider what you learned about yourself as a writer this semester. Consider, as well, what you learned about writing as a profession this semester. How do the two things sync up? Finally, consider how close you are to achieving a post-graduation goal/career trajectory at this moment. Then, write a 500-750 word reflection/career map that talks about where you are at now and what you can do in your last years at school and your first years post-graduation that can help you achieve a long term career goal.
This can include lots of things: taking certain courses, exploring certain internship/research/publication opportunities. Maybe you need to write for The Comment. Maybe you need to see if your local newspaper has an internship available. Maybe you want to talk to a faculty member about an undergraduate research or honors project. Maybe you need to study abroad. Maybe you have to take a bunch of MTELs. Maybe you need to put together a clip book. My point here is that one thing I know about BSU students is that they don't
3. Wherever you end up with your Storymatic story. This is just a fun thing. Don't stress. You can re-do it. You can just finish it. You cn turn in whatever you end up doing with your piece. But don't make this a thing.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED
This assignment is worth 15% of your final grade. In order to earn the "B" grade for 10% of your final grade you must:
- Turn in your final portfolio no later than the last scheduled day of final exams for the Fall 2023 semester
- Include all three required elements, including reflections and drafts as outlined
To earn an “A” grade for 10% of your final grade you must:
- do all the things required for the B grade and
- Take seriously and respond thoughtfully in your reflections.
- Turn in a portfolio by the deadline. One or more of the elements may be absent from the portfolio.
Failure to turn in a portfolio or to turn in a portfolio will result in a grade of "F" for this 10% of your final grade in this class.