English Proficiency Notice to English 102 Students (Revised, 2003)

Policy Statement

To pass English 102, all students will be required to submit a passing English Proficiency portfolio containing samples of writing done for the course and an essay exam given during the final exam period.

Portfolio

The portfolio is a folder containing three pieces of your writing and a proficiency exam. The purpose of the portfolio is to allow graders to judge your writing using a variety of your best out-of-class and in-class work. The portfolio—except for the exam—will be collected by your teacher by the last class meeting.

Specifications: (Portfolios which do not follow these specifications will be failed)

• Use a light-colored, double-pocketed folder with your “W number” and teacher’s code name on the outside.

• Make sure that your name and your teacher’s name appear nowhere in the portfolio.

• Include three pieces of writing (defined below) in the right-hand pocket and the exam in the left pocket.

* Sample papers must be typed. Top copy must be clean (no marks by teacher). Drafts must be attached.

* At least one paper must contain a “Works Cited” page corresponding to citations in that paper.

* “Introduction to Research” must follow directions below and refer by title to a paper in the portfolio.

* Proficiency exam must demonstrate an ability to document sources correctly using MLA format.

Portfolio contents:

• Two Sample Papers: The two papers that you select should represent your best writing for the course. Clean revisions, containing no teacher’s comments or marks, must be stapled on top of original graded papers and all drafts. You are discouraged from submitting short exercises or papers that only summarize a work. Critical, analytical, and argumentative essays of at least 500 words are preferred. Both writing samples must be on different writing assignments (not two versions of the same assignment). Do not include extremely lengthy research papers. Papers should demonstrate an ability to use and document outside sources; at least one paper must have a “Works Cited” page.

• Introduction to Research: Assume that the Freshman English Office is creating a handbook for incoming English 102 students and that you’ve been asked to contribute an essay on problems and solutions in writing papers requiring research. You’re asked to identify a few of the problems you’ve encountered in writing one particular research paper, then to focus on the one problem you felt was the most significant. Explain why it was the most significant problem, how you went about solving the problem, whether you succeeded, and what lesson(s) you learned from dealing with this research problem that you can pass on to other students. Make sure that what you write reads like a focused, developed, multi-paragraphed essay and that you refer by title to one paper that required research which you include in your proficiency portfolio. Submit a single-spaced, typed, one-page essay approximately 500 words long.

• The Proficiency Exam: Its purpose is to demonstrate your skill at writing a timed essay and in documenting sources using MLA style. The exam is taken in a “blue book” which you will purchase and bring to the Freshman English exam. See the sample exam on the back of this page.

Criteria for Evaluation

A minimum of two trained graders other than your teacher will judge your portfolio’s proficiency. A portfolio is “proficient” if it demonstrates that you have met the generic goals of English 102. Thus, a portfolio should demonstrate skills in writing, reading, and critical thinking; an ability to write on various subjects for different audiences and purposes; an ability to use research in writing; and evidence of planning and revision processes leading to final drafts. Individual pieces of writing should consistently do the following: state a thesis clearly; develop a thesis logically and in sufficient detail; use well-formed sentences and paragraphs; use language appropriately and effectively; follow standard practices in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Pass: “Competent or Adequate.” Portfolio consistently demonstrates proficiency in argumentation, research, and writing. Writing is characterized by clarity of purpose and recognition of audience as well as by ability to plan, focus, organize, develop, revise, and document essays. Mechanical errors do not impede reading. Also, the student follows specifications above: typed, clean final copies; all drafts attached; a Works Cited page corresponding to citations in one of the included papers; proper “Introduction”; and correct parenthetical MLA documentation in proficiency exam.

Fail: “Unacceptable.” Portfolio does not demonstrate proficiency in argumentation, basic writing, and research. Or, portfolio does not follow directions in the “Specification” section above.