1. The Call to Write, Third edition Chapter 23, Writing Portfolios

2. Chapter overview  Looks at the use of portfolios, as well as their benefits for students and teachers  Looks at how portfolios are evaluated  What to include in a portfolio  Use of reflective letter, revised assignments  Case study, including commentary  Online portfolios

3. Benefits of portfolios for students  Students may select which documents to present for evaluation (depending on the requirements of that teacher or department).  Students show their instructor how they have handled writing and revising.  Students reflect on how they have developed as writers, students, learners, and people.

4. Benefits of portfolios for teachers  Teachers get a range of writing at which to look.  Teachers can make fairer and more accurate appraisals of student writing if they can read various types of writing.

5. Options for evaluation  Sometimes portfolios are evaluated by one or more teachers doing blind reading.  Sometimes they are submitted to and graded by the student’s teacher.

6. What to include in a portfolio  Generally includes samples of various kinds of writing.  Your teacher will give you specific instructions.  Generally includes four or five pieces of writing.  Almost always includes a reflective letter or essay.

7. Reflective letters  The purpose of writing a reflective letter (or essay) is to introduce yourself and your portfolio, and to persuade your instructor that you have accomplished the goals of the course.  Depending on the requirements, it might discuss choices made in selecting pieces for the portfolio.

8. Sample reflective letter  See pages 669-670 for a sample student reflective essay.  The writer shows evidence of planning, with a focused introduction, body and conclusion.  The writer discusses her writing selections and provides her reasons for her choices.  She closes by commenting on what she has learned and how she hopes to use writing in the future.

9. Case Study Pages 670-675 present a case study, which is a collection of documents for one assignment, and generally includes:  A working draft  Peer commentary  Final version of the essay  The writer’s explanation of how he or she worked on the paper

10. Online portfolios  While many students are doing traditional, or paper portfolios, some schools are moving to electronic or even online portfolios.

11. Student Companion Website  Go to the student side of the Web site for exercises, chapter overviews, and links to writing resources for this chapter: http://www.ablongman.com/trimbur  Click on the textbook cover, and then select Student Resources.