Final Portfolio

Description: Throughout our course, we have explored a variety of types of writing. From writing in digital spaces to writing in professional and academic environments, we have discovered how written communication can take many forms. However, regardless of these different contexts, we have focused on how the primary purpose of writing is to make meaning. As noted in our syllabus:

Although we complete rigorous, academic writing shaped by the standards of our disciplines, we also seek to recognize that writing is a highly context-specific undertaking. In other words, in order to communicate successfully, we must be prepared to adapt our writing for different purposes and audiences. Thus, the ultimate goal is for us to understand, and engage in, writing as a way to make meaning.

Prompt: After reviewing your three core assessments (i.e., digital writing, cover letter/personal statement, policy memo), write a reflection about how your perspective on writing has evolved over the summer. This reflection should also take into account the unprecedented moment we are living in.1 As you reflect, you will likely consider the following questions. However, these are merely a framework and do not represent the universe of considerations. Nor is it expected that you’ll be able to address each one within the limited word count:

•    (1) Why is writing an important tool in my personal and professional lives? •      (2) What writing assessment(s) felt most challenging? Why?

•    (3) What writing assessment(s) felt most accessible? Why? •      (4) Do I prefer to write in digital or “real world” spaces?

•    (5) What are the different ways I have incorporated feedback into my writing? •    (6) Why is it worthwhile to revise my writing?

Suggested Steps:

(1) If necessary, review any lesson materials, readings, discussions, etc. relevant to revising your essay drafts and/or writing your final commentary.

(2) Revise your three assessments based on your own critique, feedback from peers and us, and the new skills, information, and/or perspective you’ve gained since writing each initial draft.2 Be sure to bold your revisions or use track changes so we can focus our assessment on your improvement.

1For example, perhaps you want to comment on how the pandemic has impacted your anticipated job market, which changed how you approached your cover letter. Or, perhaps the current social upheaval impacted the topic of your policy memo. Or, on a more personal note, you’ve likely encountered a lot of writing on social media and other digital spaces about COVID-19 and vaccines, racism, police brutality, politics, injustice, etc. You’re welcome to weave any of this (and more) into your reflection on the importance of written communication.

2It is not expected that you completely rewrite your assessment, or that you incorporate every piece of feedback you receive. You have received multiple perspectives on your writing/arguments/opinions throughout the course in order to challenge you to reflect upon the different ways your work/thoughts can be refined. Some of this feedback has been on written, some has been audio, some has been during seminar, some has been on discussion boards, etc. The key is to identify the most meaningful ways to improve your work within the limited time constraints of the quarter.

(3) Complete the final reflection.

(4) Compile your final project into one document, which includes your three revised assessments and your reflection.3

Formatting: Your final reflection cannot exceed 750 words (and should be at least 600). Thus, your entire project will be approximately 4000 words.4 Cite all your sources; references are not included in the word limit.

Policies: The project must be uploaded to Canvas by 9pm on September 6th. Please submit your final as one Word document, but make sure to distinguish between the four parts (i.e., assessment 1, assessment 2, assessment 3, and reflection).

Rubric: Please consult the attached rubric in order to understand how your final project will be assessed. We take a holistic approach to assessing your work. For example, in terms of assessments 1-3, we juxtapose your original drafts (i.e., those submitted to Canvas prior to peer revisions) with the final version in order to determine improvement throughout the course. However, we also recognize that you have only a short amount of time to revise certain assessments (e.g., your policy memo). Thus, we do not expect each final draft to look radically different from the first draft. Ultimately, the main purpose of this process is meant to ensure that you are not measured against your peers, but rather, only against yourself. Regardless of how many points you received initially for any assessment, you can still receive full points for these parts of the final project rubric as long as you approach the revision process with sincerity and sustained effort.