Assignment Background

Now that the semester is coming to a close, I would like you to think about the course material, your writing ability, and yourself over the past four months. Think back, or review your weekly reflections, and ask yourself: What have been the most important outcomes, tasks, or lessons that you learned?

Mandatory topics include:

1. What have you learned in the class about writing or rhetoric? (For example, you could discuss Aristotle appeals, composing in new mediums, logical fallacies)

2. Discuss a course reading that has been instrumental to your development as a writer / learner this semester.

Other topics could include:

· What have you learned about composing new genres?

· What have you learned that will be useful in your future coursework, in your major, or in your future career?

· Which of the course outcomes have been instrumental to your growth this semester?

Synthesize just a few of these lessons and write a letter to an audience you select. It could be me (Dr. Mooty), yourself (entering the course or some future self), a 2019 student just starting to take this class this fall, your grandmother, friend….

Since this is our final course assignment, it should be a well-written, well-reasoned, and well-supported testament to the good work you have done all semester.

Assignment Details

Specific requirements for this project include

1. 1½ page single-spaced letter (no extra spacing before or after paragraphs) using Times New Roman 12-point font, 1″ margins.

2. The content (tone, word choice etc) is appropriate to selected audience (e.g. a letter to me will be fairly formal within word choice, but I appreciate appropriate humor; a letter to grandma will be completely informal)

3. Supporting details can be about anything we have covered in the class; however, you must discuss Revision and at least one course reading (see “Topics” above) . Naturally, include both an in-text citation and Reference page entry.

4. Reference page. (I know “grandma” wouldn’t understand it, but this is one final lesson within APA format.

Follow this letter formula:

· Greeting

· First body paragraph has an appropriate introduction and thesis

· Additional paragraphs support your thesis. Remember, paragraphs should be approximately 7-10 complex sentences, centered on identifying and supporting a clearly identifiable topic.

· A concluding paragraph brings the letter to an effective end

· Appropriate closing

· Reference page

Grading criteria

I will be using the Rubric below to grade your Portfolio Letter

Holistic content	The author clearly fulfills content requirement by focusing on individual course learning, meeting the page-length requirements, and maintaining conversation with audience through appropriate word choice, tone, grammar etc. 10points The author could use a bit more attention to content requirements. The document might not meet the minimum page-length requirements; lapses regarding individual course learning and/or writing to a specific audience are more common. 8points The author is a bit below average in meeting content requirements. 7points The author does not fulfill content requirements. 0points
Evidence: course reading	Author discusses how a course reading was relevant to his/her learning this semester. Reading is appropriately parenthetically cited in APA format. 4points Author discusses a course reading but might not be specifically connected to individual learning or parenthetically cited. 3.5points The author is a bit below average in meeting course reading requirements. 2.5points The author does not fulfill category requirements. 0points
Logical organization pattern	Author creates a careful, logical organization pattern on a macro and micro level; topics are clearly synthesized, transitions enhance paragraph flow 5points There are some signs of logical organization pattern but further synthesis and / or transitions are needed 4points The author is a bit below average in organization strategies 3points The author does not fulfill category requirements. 0points
Paragraphing	Paragraphs are 7-10 sentences in length, begin with effective topic sentences, are focused on one main idea, and provide supporting evidence 5points Paragraphs might not meet the length requirement, lack appropriate topic sentences, or contain duplication or irrelevant ideas 3.5points The author is a bit below average in meeting course paragraphing requirements. 2.5points The author does not fulfill category requirements. 0points
Reference page citation	Sources are accurately documented in APA format 3points Sources are documented but errors are more prevalent 2points The author is a bit below average in meeting Reference page citation requirements. 1points The author does not fulfill category requirements. 0points