English 110--Self-Evaluation  Letter and Portfolio Review  

Before the final exam, you will complete a self-evaluation of your work for the course in the form of a letter to me (I am your audience). Begin with a general introduction.  Then, answer a series of questions that ask you to evaluate your work over the course of the semester.  For each question you should

• state your judgment on the area;

• define the qualities/criteria that comprise the area;

• use clear explanation and specific examples from your own essays, from your writing process, or from my comments or handouts to support your answers.

• explain how you can improve the area under discussion. 

Finish your essay with a brief, general conclusion.   

Format: You will type your letter and submit it at the beginning of the final exam period. Use a letter format (no need for addresses) and please DOUBLE SPACE the body.  Begin with general introduction and then develop your answers to each question in a long paragraph (3 total paragraphs in the body of the essay).  Each section should be about 200 words long. 

• Body Paragraph 1: How would you evaluate your GRAMMAR at the end of the semester?  At what level did you begin and how did you improve or worsen over the course of the term?  What do you still need to do to improve your grammar?

• Body Paragraph 2: How would you evaluate your WRITING PROCESS at the end of the semester? How has your process changed, and is it a more effective or less effective process now?  What could you do to improve your process?

• Body Paragraph 3: How would you evaluate your ABILITY TO WRITE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS at the end of the semester?  How have your skills evolved over the semester, and are they more or less effective?  What do you need to do to improve your ARGUING skills? (this will be your longest section)

YOU WILL SUBMIT YOUR SELF-EVALUATION ESSAY IN A FOLDER WITH ALL OF YOUR CORRECTED ESSAYS.  

 CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

• clearly and honestly assert your performance in a particular area

• define the criteria/standards for each area

• develop your position with specific evidence and details from your work, your process, or my comments (direct quotations)

• use explanation to show how the evidence supports or does not support each judgment

• acknowledge areas where you still need to improve

• include paragraphs which are coherent, unified, and effectively developed 

• follow an effective organizational pattern

• contain a variety of skillfully constructed sentences

• promote clarity and effectiveness with standard usage, mechanics, and spelling; and a precise and ample vocabulary