A writing portfolio is more than a collection of finished compositions: it is a record of your development as a writer. In this lesson, you will reflect on the choices and steps involved in writing a personal turning-point story, including revision and editing. You will also consider how closely your final piece fulfills your original intention.
A portfolio gathers compositions created over time. Looking across your work can help you notice changes in your skills, interests, and approach to writing. It gives you a record of what you wrote, but it also invites you to examine how you wrote it and what you learned along the way.
All flashcards
What is a portfolio reflection?
It is a thoughtful review of a composition, the process used to create it, and what the experience reveals about the writer’s development.
What is the difference between process and outcome?
Process means the choices and actions involved in composing, such as drafting and revising. Outcome means the finished composition and how well it communicates the writer’s intention.
What is a narrator’s voice?
Voice is the distinctive way a story is told, shaped by choices such as word choice, tone, and perspective.
What should a writer explain about revision and peer editing?
The writer should name at least two changes made and explain how each change helped strengthen or clarify the story.
How can further reading help a personal narrative writer?
Reading essays, memoirs, and poems can help a writer study choices such as voice and the presentation of personal experience, without requiring the writer to copy a particular model.
Quiz questions
What two aspects does a portfolio reflection examine?Answer: The composing process and how the finished piece communicates intention.
When reflecting on a turning-point story, what should a writer compare with the final piece?Answer: The writer’s original intention for the story.
How can peer feedback contribute to a writer’s revision?Answer: It offers another reader’s perspective, and the writer decides which suggestions to use.
How should writers use essays, memoirs, or poems as models?Answer: Study their craft choices without treating them as templates to copy.
How can reflection help a writer set a useful goal for future writing?Answer: Connect an observation about the writing experience to a future goal.
Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.