Kathryn Clark

E-Portfolio Essay
1. Explain the organization of your e-Portfolio. Include how you utilized various modes of communication. Throughout my portfolio I rely mostly on the visual and spatial modes of communication. My portfolio is visually appealing. It has a soft green background with a carefree handwriting font. My portfolio is also arranged in a specific manner. I used pages to organize my work. I have a page for each assignment and required element of the portfolio. In total I have twelve pages. I felt I needed to organize my writing I this way to create less clutter and confusion for readers. I didnt want to overwhelm my reader with several imbedded documents on each page. My documents are spaced out and categorized. Each tab is clearly labeled to give the reader an idea of what they will find on that page. One of the first tabs the reader will look through is the extended inquiry project tab. This was the most important project and the center focus for this course; therefore it is the center tab in my portfolio. Immediately following this tab is the feedback tab. This page includes scans of feedback I was given from Ms. Ingram on my inquiry project. The feedback let me know how I can improve my writing in this project. The next tab is my blog page. This is where the reader gains an understanding of what I have learned throughout this course. By reading my blog you can understand my opinions and of topics relating to this course and my thought process. The page after my blog is the midterm. In the midterm essay I got to evaluate myself according to my work. The rest of my portfolio includes pieces that were significant in my learning for this course. These pieces are: two wildcards, two writers notebook artifacts, two forms of feedback, and

Kathryn Clark three process work artifacts. At the top of each page I explain how each of these helped me throughout this course. The very last tab is my reflection. The reflection is a look back at what I have learned throughout this course. It sums up the portfolio nicely to lets the reader know they have reached the end.

2. Explain how each piece of your portfolio contributed to your learning in the course. Each piece. Not just final drafts of major assignments.

Blog: The blog helped me get my ideas for assignments written down so that I could develop them. It also helped me better understand what was expected for the assignment. The comments from Mrs. Ingram and other students helped me know what to improve and what was liked in my writing. Midterm: The midterm paper allowed me to analyze a previous students portfolio. I discovered different ways student of the past had organized their portfolio. This gave me a few ideas of what I wanted to include in my portfolio. I also got to think about my exploratory essay topic and who my target audience would be. I had the chance to discuss who would be at my round table, which really made me think about the direction I was heading in with my project. Lastly the midterm made me think about the grade I felt I deserved thus far in the course. This wasnt very difficult because the grade is based off of MY work and I know better than anyone how much effort I put into each project. I still took a look at the syllabus to compare my thoughts with the grade scale. Exploratory Essay: Through the process of the exploratory essay I learned how to develop a passion into a research paper and then transfer my information into two genres.

Kathryn Clark I had so much fun researching and putting this project together and I know this was mostly because I was researching something I was passionate about. This was the first time I really understood how MLA works. Annotated Bibliography: I had never done an annotated bibliography before this course. The annotated bib helped me stay organized with my research. It also helped me figure out which parts of my source I wanted to use for my project. RRLs: The reading response letters have helped me further develop my understanding of what I read in the textbook. I feel that my connection to the text grows deeper when I write about it. I learned to respond to what I had just read. These letters also helped me figure out how to change my writing to improve it. Journal: Journaling at the beginning of class got my brain thinking about what we would discuss in class that day. Understanding Rhetoric: I have really enjoyed reading our textbook Understanding Rhetoric. The authors did a fantastic job with making the text relatable to students. The pictures and captions helped tremendously with explaining these different topics in writing. For the first time I was able to understand the modes of communication and the appeals in writing. Syllabus: The syllabus kept me organized with due dates and class schedules. It played a major role in developing my portfolio. It included a rubric for the portfolio so I knew exactly what was expected of me in order to receive an A for the portfolio. Process Work: The three process work artifacts incorporated in this portfolio helped me stay organized with my thoughts. I included a list of everything I needed to include in this portfolio, a brainstorm of genres for my inquiry project, and a concept map of English

Kathryn Clark 1102. The portfolio list was a check system to make sure I included all necessary works in my portfolio. The genre brainstorm was a way to write down ideas I discussed within my group about the inquiry project. I referred back to these notes when deciding which genres to choose. The last artifact was the English 1102 concept map. I used this to tie every assignment together. It shows how every concept we studied in this class was used in developing my writing in each assignment this semester. Feedback: I included feedback artifacts in my portfolio because these comments were essential in my growth and development as a writer. I took these tips and improved my writing. Writers Notebook: The two writers notebook artifacts I used were a reader response letter and a class warm up. Both of these helped me write down opinions, ideas, and questions about my writing. It was helpful to use these in class discussions and group work times. It prioritized discussion. For example, in my warm up I state that I wish I had gotten more feedback and need to work on defining jargon. I discussed this with my group and we came up with ways to provide more feedback by analyzing more than just the grammar. I wanted feedback on how well I was getting my point across and weather or not I was using the right modes of communication.

3. Analyze & Explain how your writing has grown. This requires quoting from your work to show menot just tell meabout your experiences with writing this semester. Throughout this course I have worked on developing an identity as a writer, using Aristotles appeals, and practicing the five modes of communication. Creating an identity as a writer can

Kathryn Clark determine how your audience interprets your work. I worked on developing and identity throughout my extended inquiry project. Being a gymnast myself I understood the identity I needed to have for my project. I worked on Aristotles appeals in my inquiry project as well. I wanted to persuade parents that gymnastics was the best sport they could get their child involved in. I mostly used pathos to appeal to my audiences emotions. For example, I used pathos to persuade parents that our staff at Charlotte Gymnastics Academy really cares about your childs learning and development through physical activity. At CGA our staff feels it is important for young children to get involved in activities that develop movement skills and enhance physical strength and learning capabilities. Studies have shown that young children who participate in gymnastics have longer attention spans, increased communication skills, general problem solving skills, and improved self -esteem. I also use pathos when describing the benefits of gymnastics. Gymnastics has many benefits such as: a healthy lifestyle, coordination, strength, flexibility, social skills, self confidence, respect, discipline, determination, overcoming fears, and performance. I was also careful about the word choice within my genres. I am trying to appeal to young parents searching for a sport to get their child involved in. The linguistic mode of communication played a huge role in my inquiry project. I worked to explain what would be taught in gymnastics to make it easier for a parent to determine which class would be best for their child. Preschool (ages 3-5) The goal of the preschool class is to offer sessions that incorporate gymnastics and fitness activities. Our lessons are geared around challenging their motor skills and increasing strength and flexibility. To accomplish this we use equipment such as balls, hoops, ribbons, and all men and women's gymnastics equipment including the trampoline. We also plan group activities, obstacle courses, and circuits to practice basic gymnastics.

Kathryn Clark

4. Explain how you were engaged with at least 2 of the key concepts from the course. Making connections: I easily made connections to my inquiry project. I was writing about something I am passionate about. This was the first time I could connect to my academic writing on a personal level. I was able to use my own photographs from my years as a gymnast in my genre project. I was also able to incorporate some of my own personal experiences as a gymnast in my project. Our Coaches Teach your children: Trust-Trust your coaches. Without a doubt, coaches have much more experience in gymnastics than you do. Coaches have more knowledge in the sport, and you can learn all of it from them. Many of our coaches have degrees in Exercise Science and Health and Fitness. They attended four year colleges and gained these degrees for the purpose of coaching gymnastics. Always listen your coach so you don't miss any important messages. Respond by showing that you can make every correction the first time. The rules are: 1. Coach is always right! 2. If you think coach is not right, go back to rule number one. Believe: Believe in what you do. Believe in your goals. Dont let a bad practice or an unsuccessful competition ruin your confidence. Gymnasts learn more from a mistake than a success, as you do in life. This is a list of what I was taught in gymnastics. Risk taking: I usually stick to the designated path but during this course I stepped outside of my comfort zone and took risks within my writing. I went out on a limb when I wanted to research

Kathryn Clark gymnastics. I didnt think I would be able to find as much information on the subject. I ended up changing my inquiry several times before I finally decided on Why is gymnastics the best sport to get your child involved in? I ended up finding more than enough information to use as sources in my project. I even found quotes from parents of gymnasts. I believe this added to the success of my genre. I went in to check out the facility and was very impressed. The owner seemed to be very experienced and was happy to answer all of my questions. I will definitely be back! Parent of current gymnast

5. Explain the grade you deserve, based on what youve presented and according to the e-Portfolio grade scale (as seen on the syllabus). To receive an A for the e-portfolio the syllabus grading scale states: A 100-90 exemplary: ePortfolio is complete, thoughtfully arranged and easily navigable. As explained in the Portfolio Essay, all work is completed to the best of the writers ability; the writer can thoughtfully and thoroughly discuss his/her engagement with key concepts and can clearly explain and illustrate his/her growth as a writer by quoting and analyzing his/her writing from throughout the course. Based on the grading scale in the syllabus I believe I deserve and A. My portfolio is arranged in a way my reader can easily navigate. I understand how I have grown as a writer as explained above through evidence I have quoted from my work. I am also able to discuss my engagement with key concepts covered in this course. Each required piece can also be found within my portfolio.