Cover Letter and Portfolio Assignment Your final assignment for the ...

Cover Letter and Portfolio Assignment
Your final assignment for the ENG 111 course is to complete and submit a portfolio containing
your 1 revised major paper (poetry research paper), 4 shorter papers, and a 2-3 page single
spaced portfolio cover letter for evaluation. Your portfolio should also contain all of your papers
from this semester – see the portfolio checklist for exact information on what your portfolio must
contain. The following order should be used for submission and evaluation: (1) portfolio cover
letter; (2) revised major paper in final revised version; (3) all of the drafts for this essay; (4)
collection of 4 papers for evaluation, including all drafts; (5) all other papers.
Your portfolio cover letter is itself an argument. Your claim, the basis of the argument, should
involve how what you are including in your portfolio meets the learning outcomes for the class.
Draw upon the Course Outcomes, your assignments, current assessment of the work, your own
self-assessments, your peer responses, and my responses by quoting from or paraphrasing these
materials. Point to specific passages in the texts of your papers, showing me their strengths
in demonstrating the course outcomes, as well as pointing out areas for improvement.
Specifically show me how the work you have selected for evaluation literally demonstrates
your knowledge and ability to meet the course outcomes. Back up your claims with strong
evidence from your own writing, your revisions, and the course outcomes. In addition, refer
to other papers you did not select, explaining why you chose not to revise that paper. Basically,
your cover letter should make an argument for why the pieces you have selected for evaluation
represent your absolute best work.
The cover letter is a very important part of your portfolio; it provides the rhetorical situation for
you to influence how the reader of your portfolio (that’s me) will view your work. This is a great
time to influence and direct your audience. For example, if I have had difficulty locating your
“so whats” you may want to make a case for how you have attempted to alleviate this problem
within your cover letter. If you have spent a lot of time strengthening your claim and making
sure it progresses throughout your paper, point this out to me and prove it. This is your chance
to “talk yourself up” just as you would in a resume cover letter; convince me that your revisions
have drastically improved your papers.
Business Letter Format:
The business letter format has the same font and margin requirements that have been required for
all of your papers (Times New Roman, 12pt, 1 inch margins). However, your name and
header will appear differently and you will single-space. You do not need a Works Cited Page or
MLA documentation for the cover letter, but if you quote, it should be clear which document you
are using.
The paragraphs will be in block format which means that they will not be indented and will be
separated by a blank line. You will be addressing your cover letter directly to me, but all of the
academic standards and rhetorical conventions that we have learned still apply. Your grade on
the portfolio will depend partially on your performance on the cover letter itself, so dot
your i’s and cross your t’s.

Portfolio Reminders
1. Even if you did well on the initial draft of your chosen assignments, you MUST
SIGNIFICANTLY REVISE each paper you include in the portfolio. Remember, fulfilling
Outcomes 4a and 4b depends on this. Significant revision means substantial changes to the
structure of your paper, the evidence used in your argument, and/or the claims or sub-claims that
have been made. You are also welcome to bring in additional sources if you feel it strengthens
your argument (tell me how in the cover letter). Editing and proofreading for grammar,
mechanics, and word choice does not equal significant revision, though it is a part of Outcome 4c.
I guarantee that none of your papers has been so perfect that it cannot benefit from significant
revision. My comments may only indicate starting points for this and revising purely in terms of
them will not guarantee an “A” so it is essential that you confront every paper in terms of your
understanding of the Outcomes. Of course, you can conference with me about any ideas you
have for revision.
2. Keep an eye on length requirements, particularly the minimums. Length requirements will be
an important part of future classes, so this is good practice.
3. Make sure you have followed the format requirements, especially MLA citation, which
includes parenthetical citations and a properly formatted Works Cited Page.
4. Go back and review your notes, all comments and the various handouts that I have given you.
These can be useful in helping you to look at your work in new ways.
Exactly How to Organize Your Portfolio
Turn your portfolio in to me with the assignments included in the following order. Each assignment (and
its revised edition if applicable) MUST be stapled individually. NO exceptions!
Create your portfolio with all documents in the following order:
Assignments to be evaluated
____ Cover letter
____ 1 Major paper for evaluation (Place the revised edition directly on top of your original copy. Place
your peer review sheets (2) behind the original copy)
____ 4 Shorter papers for evaluation (Place the revised edition directly on top of your original copy).
All other assignments
____ Other smaller papers (organize these in date order).
____ Other major take-home paper
General Portfolio Requirements
• Place your completed portfolio in a manila envelope.
• Make sure your name is clearly visible on the outside of the manila envelope.
• All portfolios must be delivered to me IN PERSON.
• Portfolios are due Wednesday, May 30 th by 1:55 pm, NO exceptions.

Portfolio Must Haves - Checklist
A complete portfolio absolutely must contain the following elements:
For Evaluation
N.B. The evaluated portion of the portfolio will be graded as a whole. This means that every
assignment need not fulfill every outcome. Rather, your must demonstrate your proficiency in
fulfilling every outcome somewhere within your 4 smaller papers and 1 large paper. For
example, you may want to use one small assignment simply to demonstrate your mastery of
outcome three. This is fine, and you would want to alert me to this fact in your cover letter.
____ Cover Letter (2-3 pages single spaced, business letter format)
____ 4 shorter papers that have been significantly revised (in-class essays are obviously fair
game – revised papers need to be typed; must be at least two pages each)
____ 1 major poetry research paper that has been significantly revised (must be at least five
pages; no longer than 8 pages)
All other papers (All original drafts with instructor/reader comments)
____ Heart of Darkness Major Paper
____ Hamlet Essay
____ “The Flea” Poetry Analysis
____ One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest Essay
____ “The Broken Heart” Poetry Essay
____ Donne/Marvell Poetry Essay
____ Blake’s Chimney Sweepers Poetry Essay
____ Keats/Frost Poetry Essay
____ “The Birthday Party” Style Analysis Essay
____ The Metamorphosis Essay
____ “The Pupil” Style Analysis Essay
____ “The Other Paris” Style Analysis Essay
____ Dickinson/Frost Poetry Essay
____ “One Art” Poetry Essay
____ Major Poetry Research Paper
Any portfolio that does not include ALL of the above will be considered
INCOMPLETE. Furthermore, any portfolio in which the assignments fall significantly
short of their length or content requirements will also be considered incomplete.
AN INCOMPLETE PORTFOLIO GUARANTEES A FAILING GRADE IN THE CLASS!
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!

ENGLISH 111 COURSE OUTCOMES
1. To produce complex, analytic, persuasive arguments that matter in academic contexts.
• The argument is appropriately complex, based in a claim that emerges from and explores
a line of inquiry.
• The stakes of the argument, why what is being argued matters, are articulated and
persuasive.
• The argument involves analysis, which is the close scrutiny and examination of evidence
and assumptions in support of a larger set of ideas.
• The argument is persuasive, taking into consideration counterclaims and multiple points
of view as it generates its own perspective and position.
• The argument utilizes a clear organizational strategy and effective transitions that
develop its line of inquiry.
2. To read, analyze, and synthesize complex texts purposefully in order to generate and support
writing.
• The writing demonstrates an understanding of the course texts as necessary for the
purpose at hand.
• Course texts are used in strategic, focused ways (for example: summarized, cited,
applied, challenged, re-contextualized) to support the goals of the writing.
• The writing is intertextual, meaning that a "conversation" between texts and ideas is
created in support of the writer's goals.
• The writing demonstrates responsible use of the MLA system of documenting sources.
3. To demonstrate an awareness of the strategies that writers use in different rhetorical situations.
• The writing employs style, tone, and conventions appropriate to the demands of a
particular genre, rhetorical situation or discipline.
• The writing has a clear understanding of its audience, and various aspects of the writing
(mode of inquiry, content, structure, evidence, appeals, tone, sentences, and word choice)
address and are strategically pitched to that audience.
• The writer recognizes and articulates the effects of his or her rhetorical choices.
4. To develop flexible strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading writing.
• The writing demonstrates substantial and successful revision.
• The writing responds to substantive issues raised by the instructor and peers.
• Errors of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics are proofread and edited so as not to
interfere with reading and understanding the writing.

English 111 Portfolio Evaluation Rubric
Outstanding Portfolio (3.7-4.0)
This portfolio exhibits outstanding proficiency in all outcomes categories – academic
argumentation, purposeful use of texts, rhetorical awareness, and revision, editing, and
proofreading – outweighing its few weaknesses. The cover letter clearly indicates which items in
the portfolio demonstrate the course outcomes, and makes a compelling argument for how they
do so. In so doing, it displays thorough and thoughtful awareness of the writer’s own writing,
using evidence from the course outcomes, assignments, self-assessments, peer responses, and
teacher responses by quoting or paraphrasing from these materials in support of its argument.
The selected major paper and shorter texts offer an outstanding demonstration of all the course
outcomes through a very highly proficient and skillful handling of the traits associated with
them. The outstanding portfolio will likely demonstrate some appropriate risk-taking,
originality, variety, and/or creativity.
Strong Portfolio (3.1-3.6)
The strong portfolio exhibits strengths clearly outweighing weaknesses, but may show
somewhat less proficiency in one or two of the outcomes categories, perhaps strong in academic
argumentation, purposeful use of texts, and rhetorical awareness, but slightly less in
revision/editing/proofreading. The cover letter clearly indicates which items in the portfolio
demonstrate the course outcomes, and makes an effective argument for how they do so. It also
displays thoughtful awareness of the writer’s own writing, using evidence from the course
outcomes, assignments, self-assessments, peer responses, and teacher responses by quoting or
paraphrasing from these materials in support of its argument, but may not present as clear an
argument for the choices as the outstanding portfolio. The selected major paper and shorter
texts, although slightly less consistent in demonstrating the course outcomes, nonetheless offer a
strong demonstration of effectiveness in many traits associated with the outcomes, handling a
variety of tasks successfully. This portfolio engages the material and follows the assignments
given, but may risk less than the outstanding portfolio.
Good Portfolio (2.5-3.0)
The good portfolio also exhibits strengths outweighing weaknesses, but may show less
strength in two of the outcomes categories, perhaps strong in academic argumentation and
purposeful use of texts, but less so in revision, editing, proofreading, and rhetorical awareness.
The cover letter indicates which items in the portfolio demonstrate the course outcomes, and
makes an argument for how they do so, although the argument may display less thoughtful
awareness of the writer’s own writing by using less evidence from the course outcomes,
assignments, self-assessments, peer responses, and teacher responses in support of its argument.
The selected major paper and shorter texts effectively demonstrate the course outcomes, but with
less proficiency and control. The portfolio usually will not display the appropriate risk-taking
and creativity of the strong and outstanding portfolios.
Acceptable Portfolio (2.0-2.4)
The acceptable portfolio is competent, demonstrating that the course outcomes are
basically met, but the traits associated with them are not as fully realized or controlled. The
writing can succeed in the academic environment. The strengths and weaknesses are about
evenly balanced, but should be slightly stronger on academic argument and purposeful use of
texts, as these represent key facets of academic writing. Some parts of the selected texts may be
underdeveloped, too general, or predictable, or leave parts of the outcomes unconsidered. While

demonstrating knowledge of conventions, this portfolio typically will not display rhetorical
awareness or control over revision, editing, and proofreading. The cover letter indicates which
items in the portfolio demonstrate the course outcomes, but may not make as effective an
argument for how they do so, one based in evidence from the course outcomes, assignments,
self-assessments, peer responses, and teacher responses.
Inadequate Portfolio (1.0-1.9)
A portfolio will be inadequate when it shows serious deficiencies in three of the four
course outcomes, especially in academic argument, purposeful use of texts, and revision, editing,
and proofreading (for example, revision is limited to correcting grammar or to adding or deleting
sentence and phrase level changes). Alternatively, this portfolio may be error free, yet does not
adequately demonstrate the other outcomes. The portfolio cover letter will be brief and may not
indicate which items in the portfolio demonstrate the course outcomes or make an effective
argument for how they do so. The portfolio indicates that the student may need more time to be
able to handle the demands of both academic reading and writing as characterized in the course
outcomes and associated traits.
Incomplete Portfolio (0.0-0.9)
The incomplete portfolio covers the range from no portfolio turned in (0.0), to the
portfolio that includes only part of the required work for the class, a portfolio missing significant
portions of the work for the course.
University of Washington Grading Scale
(taken from http://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/front/Grading_Sys.html)
A 4.0-3.9
A- 3.8-3.5
B+ 3.4-3.2
B 3.1-2.9
B- 2.8-2.5
C+ 2.4-2.2
C 2.1-1.9 2.0 or above is required for the “C” credit
C- 1.8-1.5
D+ 1.4-1.2
D 1.1-0.9
D- 0.8-0.7 Lowest passing grade.
E 0.0 Failure or Unofficial Withdrawal.
No credit earned.