Writing portfolios can come in many shapes and varieties. The two most common are probably the Cumulative and the Representative.
- Cumulative: a portfolio that contains all of the writing done during a particular time (for instance, within a class or institute)
- Representative: a portfolio in which the writer chooses to include particular pieces as representations of her/his writing (to show range, development, etc.)
Your portfolio will be a combination of these types, in that we are requiring that you include two particular pieces, but inviting you to include others as well. In your portfolio, please include:
- Cover Letter (see more info below)
- Paper #1, in revised form
- Script from multimodal project
- Other writings you select (paper starts, quick writes, notes, etc.)
The Cover Letter: This is a new piece of writing you will compose for the portfolio. In it, you will reflect on the texts you have included in the portfolio, as well as your own writing processes. Why did you select them? What do your selections say about you as a writer? What “behind the scenes” details about the writing of the selections can you provide? Remember, this is not an evaluation of the Summer Institute (you’ll be writing that on Thursday morning); this is a reflection on the writing you’ve included in your portfolio.
Format: The form your portfolio takes is up to you. You may make it a traditional paper one (bind the selections together, with the cover letter on top), or an electronic portfolio (combine your selections into a single Google Doc, for instance, or create a blog to use as your portfolio).