Lewis+Final+Portfolio

Foundations of College Writing Dr. Sherry Portfolio Synthesis Letter Katherine Lewis

This semester, in Foundations of College Writing, I have worked toward various goals to improve my writing. I will elaborate on each of these goals and cite examples of my work throughout this semester. We had three main projects that we completed. In the first project, our objective was to research an aspect of college culture that interested us. We used research from articles and interviews that we conducted independently. In the second project, our objective was to use the research from our first project and transform it into material for different audiences. In the third project, our objective was to write a personal narrative of my own experiences and how they correlated with my topic and the focus of this course- what it means to be educated.


 * Goal A. Students will be able to compose for particular audiences and purposes.**

In my research project, I investigated how participation in marching band varies from not participating in marching band. I made a flyer to portray my research. The audience is college students and high school students. My purpose was to get more students engaged in college band and to show the benefits of band for students. I completed this by using the information I collected from my first project and portraying it in a way that college students find easy to understand. I used this because students find flyers quick and easy to get the information from.

In my second project, I used the research from my first project and transformed it into a resume for potential employers. The purpose of my resume was to show leadership styles in marching band and how you can use the skills in a potential job. This audience is different from my flyer so I used a different format.

I formatted the information in a way that was fitting to a potential employer. I presented the crucial information at the top and in bold. I used alignment to present the information in a way that would be easy for employers to find the information they needed. It also highlighted the potential for the employee because of the different leadership positions they have held. A section leader position could help you become better at the management of groups of people. It also helps with cooperation and collaboration with coworkers because section leaders have to work with the band director and drum majors in order to produce a successful show. These projects showed how I can construct research in different ways and portray the information in a format that worked for that audience.


 * Goal B. Students will be able to compose using language and conventions appropriate to genre.**

For my research project, I chose to create a power point presentation that could be used for students and parents that are looking into a marching band program. Throughout the project I used examples a terminology that only people involved in the activity would understand. I also used conventions appropriate to the audience by making sure the language and layout show the information in a way they will understand. I stated the topic. Then I stated the research I found in the research articles in a way that was on the level of everyone in my projected audience. Then I presented the interviews that I conducted myself. Finally I analyzed all of my results and presented my final opinion on my topic.

The information presented in my project stands out in the field of marching band because it is important information to the audience. It is very informative because it gives examples of different levels of bands and the techniques they use. This project shows that I can use appropriate language and conventions.


 * Goal C. Students will be able to read, select, and use evidence critically to formulate and support arguments.**

For my research project, I analyzed professional articles on the topic of participation in marching bands. For that project I had to research articles and read them. But by reading them I had to truly analyze the material presented. Then after thorough analyzing, I selected the articles that stood out to me the most. They were the articles that presented the material in a way that was appropriate to my audience and could get my point across. I used the articles to show the differences in band programs. For example, the quote about practice times was used to support the argument that band takes up a lot of valuable time but is worth it.

The research project shows my ability to read, select, and use evidence critically to support my topic and argument.


 * Goal D. Students will be able to interpret and compose in a variety of media and print/ non-print genres.**

In my flyer for high school and college students I used the C.R.A.P. principles. Which are contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. These principles allowed me to compose a flyer that would portray the information in my research project in a way that was different than the usual ways of sharing information. I used examples of other flyers in order to shape my own example of how I would present my information. I interpreted what they had to offer and transformed my information to correlate with how they presented theirs. I also used a satire to share my information. The satire was a comic strip that was poking fun at the fact that band members practice in all kinds of weather and are never happy with the weather. Both of these projects show how I can compose in a variety of media.



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In my final project, we gave a personal narrative of our experiences and how they related to the goal of what it means to be educated. I chose three different things that are from my past, present, and future. For my past I chose a poster of two young girls. Those girls symbolize me and my older sister. She has had a huge impact on my life and the person I have grown into. For my present I chose my big, Erin. When I came to college the first group of people I met were those in band. As we grew closer she encouraged me to join the band fraternity. I made the decision to go for it and she became my big brother. She supports me and helps me through the ups and downs of college life. I don't know where I would be without her. For my future I chose a flashlight. When the flashlight is on it symbolizes my hope for my future and when it is off it symbolizes my doubt that I will be successful. We had a peer review session to discuss our projects and changes to make to them. I found some things that I wanted to change just by presenting it to a small group. Then my group members gave me hints and tips to help me improve my writing that I put into effect. This shows how I can work individually and collaboratively.
 * Goal E. Students will be able to discuss and apply appropriate writing processes both individually and in collaborative contexts.**