Dear Reader,

The purpose of this portfolio is to reflect on everything I have completed in UWRT 1103.

This includes reflecting on what I have learned and how I can use the skills in the future. Lastly,

the portfolio is to see how my writing has improved throughout the semester. When reading my

portfolio, you should follow the order of the menu as I arranged the projects in chronological

order. There is a separate page for each major assignment, on these pages I organized the

information in chronological order of how I completed the project. For example, I would start

each project with pre-writings and then complete drafts or supplemental assignments that may be

peer reviewed to help me reach a final essay. This is followed by a corrected final essay based on

the grade with the professor’s comments. Finally, I placed a reflection of each major assignment

at the bottom of the pages. There is also an about me and a supplemental assignments page that

you should check out.

Throughout the semester I have completed five student learning outcomes while working

on the projects. The first is rhetorical knowledge which is the ability to identify and apply

strategies across a range of texts and writing situations. I learned to use rhetorical knowledge

during the Genre Project. During this project we had to pick an inquiry question, research it, and

then present what we discovered. I used rhetorical knowledge to pick the target audience and the

best way to present the information to them. I also learned critical reading which is the ability to

analyze, synthesize, interpret, and evaluate ideas, information and texts. I used this during the

Annotated Bibliography project. During the project I used critical reading to evaluate my sources

and the information they presented. If I did not practice this I would have had bad sources and

biased information. Composing processes is another outcome I used throughout the semester.

This is the process writers go through to develop and finalize essays. On each of the projects I
practiced composing processes with prewriting’s, drafts, peer reviews, final essays, and

corrections based on professor Jizi’s comments. I improved my knowledge of conventions when

my work was reviewed by my peers or Ms. Jizi. Knowledge of conventions are the formal rules

and informal guidelines that define genres, and in so doing, shape reader’s and writer’s

expectations of correctness or appropriateness. So, I would take note of why my grammar or

punctuation was wrong to keep me from making the same mistakes on future projects. Finally, I

learned the process of critical reflection which is a writer’s ability to reflect on his work. I

developed this skill by following the reflection guidelines on each of our major projects. Such as,

looking back at the process used to create it, evaluating how it came out, and realizing what I

would change or keep the same in the future. By practicing critical reflection, it helped me to

greatly improve my writing. I found the definitions to the SLO’s on Ms. Jizi’s website,

jizistudiosuncc.weebly.com/digital-portfolio.html

During the semester I also practiced several habits of mind while completing projects.

The first is curiosity, which is something that I used during several projects. For example, I tried

to keep a curios mindset while working on the Future Authoring Essay. I did this so that I could

discover what I wanted for my future and not get locked down on one idea. This helped me to

paint a much clearer image of the life I want because I detailed every part of it. During the

Annotated Bibliography I remained curious to find all possible answers. By practicing this

mindset, I found answers to my inquiry in places that I did not think I would. It helped me to

stay on track with the project and find solid relevant information. I also practiced openness,

which is the willingness to consider new ways of being and thinking in the world. I practiced this

during the Past and Future Authoring essay as well as responding to other students on discussion

boards. During the Past Authoring/Personal essay I had to be open in reflecting on the past and
try to view the event I wrote about unbiasedly. I also practiced openness during the Future

Authoring essay on the self-discovery assignments. By keeping an open mind during those

assignments, I found out more about who I am as person and my values. I also did this while

participating in class discussions because, even if you disagree with the person you can learn

something from them. Lastly, I practiced this during the Genre Project as I had never built a

website, but it was the best way to present my information. So, I had to learn how to build a

website and not just giving up on it. Which leads into the last mindset I practiced which was

persistence. Persistence is the ability to stay interested in short and long-term projects which was

practiced on every major project. On each project I had to be persistent to complete the process

and final essay. I had to remain especially persistent during the Annotated Bibliography project.

It was hard to find good sources with information and it would have been easier to just act like I

had vetted the sources. Although by staying persistent I was able to find good sources and solid

answers to my inquiry. I found the definitions to the mindsets on Ms. Jizi’s website,

jizistudiosuncc.weebly.com/digital-portfolio.html.

Through building my portfolio I was reminded of how I have grown as a writer

through this semester. I did not realize how much better my writing is in comparison to where I

began. I was also reminded of my core values and what I discovered about myself as a person. I

would have better organized my work throughout the semester if I could go back now because, it

was hard to find some of it. I would not change how I organized my work on the portfolio itself

though. I would keep it the same because it flows through my work and clearly shows the

process I underwent to complete the projects. Through this course I learned that I can be a good

writer if I continue to practice. Finally, I learned what values in others I hold highest and more

about my core values.