You will use your work for the entire semester to create a course portfolio for English 223EM.  The purpose of this project is to provide evidence of your semester-long journey as a reader, thinker, writer, and student of literature.  Your portfolio should demonstrate persuasively that you have made substantial progress toward achieving most or all of the learning goals you have set for yourself.  Remember that this portfolio is all about you and your learning.  Take control of it.  Make it uniquely your own.  Think about what you have learned about literature, the world, and yourself.  Have fun with it.

Although you are perfectly free to arrange your portfolio however you wish, I expect it to contain the following dimensions which will be graded according to the point distribution below:

I.  Reflection on Learning	50
II. Reader Responses	25
III. Discussion Quantity	20
IV. Discussion Quality	5
V.  Explication of Poetry	50
VI. Essay on Critical Approaches to  The Great Gatsby	50
VII. Projection of Learning Beyond this Class	10

Total Portfolio Grade:  210 of 400 semester points (remaining grades include Reader Response diligence 50; quizzes 50; Explication of Poetry Workshop presentation 25; Essay on Great Gatsby diligence 15;  and two examinations 150)

I.  Reflection on Learning Goals and Projection of Learning Beyond this Class
Since research on learning indicates that deep learning occurs when learners reflect on what they are learning, how, and why, please frame your portfolio with your reflection on what you learned in relation to each of your learning goals, how you learned this, and why this goal is valuable for you to learn.

The conclusion of your portfolio must include your projection of further relevant goals and objectives beyond this class (see below).

The reflection component of the portfolio will be worth up to 50 points.

II.  Evidence of Your Engagement With Literature:  in Reader Responses
Reread all of your reader responses and literary community event responses and select the three that you think provide the best evidence of your depth and versatility in engagement with the course material and your leaning goals.  Then introduce these pieces with an explanation of why you selected the pieces you did.  Be sure to consider how you have developed over the course of the semester.  25 points possible.

III.  Evidence of Your Engagement With Literature:  in Discussion Quantity
An important part of an education is the process of claiming a voice within a community of learning.  Students who participate actively in discussions gain immediate feedback on their thoughts and contributions to discussion.  The combination of immediacy of feedback and consistency of participation with reflection on that feedback contributes a great deal to learning. Many students find that their favorite classes are the ones that are most vibrant with student contributions.  You have had numerous occasions for discussion as a class, in small groups, outside of class, on the WWWBoard, and in fishbowl format.  An active participant takes advantage of all of these opportunities.  Since each of these formats contributes slightly differently to one's learning and development, substantial participation in one area does not entirely substitute for all other areas.

For this section of your portfolio, please comment and provide evidence with specific illustrations of contributions of all types on the quantity of your class discussion participation this semester.  At the end of this reflection, propose and justify the grade in points you think you have earned for the quantity your class discussion participation.  I will use your self-evaluation as a starting point for my evaluation (which may nudge you up or down in points).  20 points possible, using the following table:
Quantity of Participation:

19-20 points	Engages actively and regularly (at least every other class period) in discussions in large group, small group, fishbowl, outside of class, AND on the on-line discussion forum. Attends class regularly (fewer than five absences) and listens actively.
16-18 points	Engages actively and regularly (at least every third class period) in at least three of the areas providing discussion opportunity (large group, small group, fishbowl, outside of class, and on the on-line discussion forum). Regular class attendance (fewer than five absences) and listens actively.
13-15 points	Engages actively but less frequently (at least every fifth class period) in at least two of the areas providing discussion opportunity ( large group, small group, fishbowl, outside of class, and on the on-line discussion forum). Regular class attendance (fewer than five absences) and listens actively.
10-12 points	Engages actively but less frequently (at least every fifth class period) in at least one of the areas providing discussion opportunity ( large group, small group, fishbowl, outside of class, and on the on-line discussion forum). Regular class attendance (fewer than five absences) and listens actively.
5-9 points	Engages infrequently in discussion, but attends class regularly (fewer than five absences) and listens actively.
0-4 points	Infrequent contributions and more than five absences.

IV.  Evidence of Your Engagement With Literature:  in Discussion Quality
Please comment and provide evidence on the quality of your class discussion participation this semester.  What insights have you contributed? How have your questions sparked productive discussions? How have you helped us look deeper into a text and into ourselves? Specific examples are helpful. At the end of this reflection, propose and justify the grade in points you think you have earned for the quality your class discussion participation.  I will use your self-evaluation as a starting point for my evaluation (which may nudge you up or down in points). 5 points possible, using the following table:
Quality of Participation:

5 points	Meets criteria for at least 16 quantity points and uses every discussion opportunity to further the learning goals of the class. Evidence includes recap of at least four original insights that moved, empowered, or enlightened the class.
4 points	Meets criteria for at least 16 quantity points and uses every discussion opportunity to further the learning goals of the class. Evidence includes recap of at least two original insights that moved, empowered, or enlightened the class.
3 points	Meets criteria for at least 13 quantity points and uses every discussion opportunity to further the learning goals of the class. Evidence includes recap of at least two insights that moved, empowered, or enlightened the class.
2 points	Meets criteria for at least 10 quantity points and uses every discussion opportunity to further the learning goals of the class.  Evidence includes recap of at least two insights that moved, empowered, or enlightened some members of the class.
1 point	Meets criteria for at least 10 quantity points and uses every discussion opportunity to further the learning goals of the class.  Evidence includes recap of at least two insights that moved, empowered, or enlightened at least one other member of the class.
0 points	Infrequency of contributions and/or attendance diminishes the quality of participation in furthering the learning goals of the class.

V.  Evidence of Your Engagement With Poetry: Explication of your Poem of the Day
Include a copy of your revised essay explicating the poem of the day you presented to the class. 50 points possible.

VI.  Evidence of your ability to write formally about literary texts and critical contexts: Essay on The Great Gatsby in the critical conversation
Include a revised copy of your essay.  50 points possible.

VII. Conclusion:  Projection of Learning Beyond this Class
The conclusion of your portfolio must include your projection of further relevant goals and objectives beyond this class.  Include in this conclusion a short list of authors and/or literary works that you want to read in the next year or two.  This would also be an appropriate place for you to reflect on the role of reading, travel, and study abroad in your lifelong learning.

The reflection component of the portfolio will be worth up to 10 points.

Physical Attributes of Your Portfolio
Please word process all text and find a way to fasten the portfolio together securely in the order you have chosen.  You may use binders, covers, folders, art work, poetry visual material, dividers, or whatever at your discretion.  I may also consider a multimedia variation on the portfolio (please discuss this with me in advance if you want to pursue this option).