1. September 23, 2011
Portfolio Assignment

2. Getting Started
After you decide on your topic you will need to create a rough outline.
We will add more details to the outline throughout the semester.
Today will we focus on the first two segments (an Introduction and the first supporting paragraph)
My example topic will be “The War on Terrorism in United States since September 11, 2001”.

3. Introduction
Needs to introduce your topic AND what aspects you will cover in your paper. Example:
After the attacks on September 11, 2001 our country changed drastically. Over the past decade, the war on terrorism in the United States has transformed. The United States has become involved in several wars. Our country has increased defense spending and created many new laws that affect the lives of its people. New systems to warn citizens about possible threats have also be initiated.

4. Note that every topic highlighted in red will be those that need to covered in the paper.
Each topic needs to be supported by facts (quoted sources) as well.
We will use the APA format for citations.
We will discuss Works Cited pages in full detail next week as we gather more sources.

5. Topic One
Example:
After September 11, 2001 the United States went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq in order to find those responsible for the attacks, member of the terror group Al Qaeda and their leader. According to the NY Times (2011): “After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden”. (Afghanistan, Breaking World Afghanistan, para. 25).

6. Works Cited Page Should be in alphabetical order. Some examples:
Online source:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical, volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved from
Bernstein, M. (2002). 10 tips on writing the living Web. A list apart: For people who make websites, 149. Retrieved from

7. One or two authors
Berndt, T. J. (2002). Friendship quality and social development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 7-10.
Wegener, D. T., & Petty, R. E. (1994). Mood management across affective states: The hedonic contingency hypothesis. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 66,

8. Additional Reminders…
Words such as big, bad, good should not be used. Try to expand your vocabulary and write on grade level.
Don’t forget to introduce the quote in some way: As the article states: “…”
APA format for Reference Page as well.
Only one space between paragraphs.
Break up paragraphs based on one idea at a time.
No “I” statements