What is the Writing portfolio used for?
We use portfolios to decide the right placement in a Writing or Writing intensive course for students who are bringing credit for ENGL 101 to Stetson (for example, AP scores of 4 or above, IB scores, or transfer credit from dual enrollment courses or other Universities).
Do I need to submit a portfolio?
All students who expect to bring in credit for ENGL 101 should submit a portfolio. This includes students transferring in with AA degrees as well as students with only one or two college level courses to transfer.
Students who have done substantial college level work already, even if that work has not necessarily included a Writing or English course, may also submit a portfolio for placement.
What should I include in my Writing portfolio?
The portfolio should contain the following materials:
1. A self-aware and self-analytical letter of introduction to the portfolio (2+ pages, minimum 500 words). As part of this letter, students must define BOTH the intellectual limitations and strengths of the writing in the portfolio AND the specific drafting and revision methods employed in their production.
2. Two or three examples of your best writing, up to a total of 15 pages. This set of pages must include a complete analytical and/or argumentative essay. NOTE: for the purposes of this document, "page" is interpreted to mean 250-275 words.
Essays that you've worked on in previous courses are perfect for this purpose. We ask for multiple examples because we know that you are a multifaceted writer, whose strengths and weaknesses may vary depending on the assignment. We get a much more accurate picture of your abilities when we see multiple examples of those abilities. You should include copies of the original assignment prompts if available.
You may also choose to include a short piece of writing that demonstrates creativity or imagination. Although the weight of the portfolio's evaluation will be primarily in the demonstration of critical and analytical ability, we recognize the value of creative work and invite you to include it.
3. All portfolios must be submitted with a signedcover sheet that acts as a certification of originality. On this form, available by clicking here, you assert that this is indeed your own work, and that no one has written it but you. Stetson University's Honor System specifically states students must do their own work and only their own work, adding that "All incoming students are expected to subscribe to the Pledge upon entrance to the university." With that in mind, we ask that you, as an incoming student, promise that your portfolio is your original work and that you have not relied on excessive or inappropriate assistance from anyone else in the development of that material.
When is the portfolio due?
The portfolio may be submitted as early as acceptance to Stetson University. We generally ask that the placement portfolios come in at least ONE SEMESTER before a student expects to take the Writing requirement, so that we have adequate time to plan.
What happens after I submit the Writing portfolio?
Once the team at the Writing Program has read your portfolio, we will place you in a Writing course that will, once completed, fulfill your Writing requirement at Stetson. Students will be placed in ENGL 109, Stetson Writing Workshop; or an approved Writing Intensive course. Your placement will be recorded on your degree audit; once it's been recorded, you should work with your advisor to enroll in a suitable course.
How do I prepare the Writing portfolio?
We ask that names, identifying marks, teacher marks, or teacher comments be removed from all pages of the portfolio. Only your student ID number should appear on EACH page of EACH piece of writing.
If submitted in hard copy, the entire portfolio must be clipped together, with the enclosed Cover Sheet on the top. Electronic submissions should come in .pdf format. Doc and Docx files are also acceptable.
Students should submit electronic portfolios (in pdf, doc, or docx format, please) to the Director of the Writing Program at writingprogram@stetson.edu
Students submitting hard copy portfolios should mail them to this address:
Dr Megan O'Neill
Director, the Writing Program
Department of English, Unit 8300
421 N Woodland Blvd
Deland, FL 32723