Summary:

Each student in ENG 496 will create an online portfolio, as is required by the Professional Writing Program. The portfolio will demonstrate the student's growth as a composer of texts through artifacts and commentary. Portfolios will be created using Craft and shared publicly. Their URLs will be submitted through a form. Portfolios are designed to do several things:

help you gather the significant materials/projects/papers/essays/etc. that you have completed during your time at UNCW
give you a chance to create a professional web presence to house these documents, which can give potential employers more information about you and your work
help the department assess programmatic effectiveness (necessary for institutional accreditation)
- The Professional Writing Program seeks to address these questions: What are our students learning? What methods, assignments, and courses are most helpful? What else should we teach or offer students in professional writing courses?

Components:

The portfolio consists of three sections:

1. Introduction: This section is a brief statement (~three paragraphs) that describes the portfolio's contents and how they showcase the author's ability and expertise as a writer.
2. Assignments: This section contains at least three assignments drawn from the author's career at UNCW with short (~one paragraph) descriptions that identify the text’s audience, context, and purpose:
  - A critical essay that supports an argument with documented research
  - A document that incorporates multimedia
  - A document for a specified (or apparent) target audience that demonstrates the author's expertise as a producer of texts
3. Reflective Statement: This section is a brief reflection (~3 paragraphs) that describes the author's experience at UNCW and his or her development as a producer of texts. This statement should identify specific courses, instructors, projects, and activities where possible.

Assessment:

Producing the portfolio precisely as described will earn a student 5 out of 5 possible points. Students may earn up to 2 additional bonus points by augmenting their portfolios with, for example, additional texts, pages, and media or by significantly customizing the portfolio. This is an opportunity for students to experiment in this medium and expand their abilities.

Internally, portfolios are used to assess programmatic effectiveness by evaluating them according to the Student Learning Outcomes articulated below.

Learning Outcome #1: Students will be able to adapt information to the needs of specific audiences.
1. The portfolio includes at least one text that targets a specific audience.
2. That text uses appropriate strategies to meet the information and usability needs of the target audience.
Learning Outcome #2: Students will be able to find, evaluate, and appropriately cite information sources.
1. The portfolio includes at least one text that uses primary and/or secondary sources.
2. The student presents appropriate and reliable information sources.
3. The student correctly cites the information sources according to scholarly or professional conventions.
Learning Outcome #3: Students will be able to construct and present evidence to support a clear and logical argument.
1. The portfolio includes at least one text with a persuasive purpose.
2. That text makes a clear claim early in the text.
3. That text presents an organized and logical argument.
4. The student presents appropriate evidence in support of the primary claim.
Learning Outcome #4: Students will be able to create usable texts in a variety of genres and forms and employing multiple media.
1. The portfolio includes at least one text that can be presented electronically.
2. The portfolio includes at least one text that incorporates multiple media.
3. The portfolio includes texts in at least two other forms or genres.
4. The texts in the portfolio adhere to scholarly or professional conventions.
Learning Outcome #5: Students will be able to describe and assess their own development as producers and consumers of texts.
1. The portfolio contains a reflective statement.
2. The reflective statement demonstrates thoughtful analysis of the student’s experience in the program.
3. The reflective statement includes a critical assessment of the student’s role and development as a writer and designer of texts.

Resources:

ENG 496 Online Portfolio template
Craft for Mac, Windows, and mobile
Getting Started with Craft on the Web resources
Apply for Craft education account
First Steps in Craft (part 1 and part 2)
Beginner's Guide to Craft
Craft Made Simple course (requires free account)