PORTFOLIO ESSAYS

Over the course of your time in the Swope GT Magnet program, you will be building a

writing portfolio that, over time, will not only show your growth as a writer, but also will

show your proficiency in both narrative and expository writing.

It will be your responsibility to make sure that by the end of each quarter and semester

that you meet all the requirements. There will be deadlines throughout each quarter

and semester to make sure you are on target for meeting the requirements of this

challenge. As you write each essay for submission, to earn credit you must meet or

exceed your goal score and then establish your goal score for your next essay. You

must also show proficiency in a variety of types of essays and narratives. Each

semester you will be given several choices and it will be up to you to decide which

essay you will submit and when.

For the first essay, your goal is to score a ‘12’ or better. After you receive your first

essay back, you will set your goal score for your next essay. Your goal score must be

equal to or one point more than your average essay score. If your essay does not meet

the minimum goal score, you will be expected to edit/revise/rewrite the essay until it

meets your goal score to earn credit. The overall goal here is to continually work

towards improving your writing regardless of what type of essay you are writing.

Essay writing is expected to be done mostly in class during Sacred Writing Time and

during Writer’s Workshops. We will have at least one writer’s workshop for every five

days spent in class (that’s roughly 20% of our time together dedicated to your writing).

If you are spending inordinate amounts of time working on your essays outside of class,

please speak to me.

Deadlines for 2012-2013 (You are welcome to turn essays in before a deadline)

(Also, deadlines are in effect EVEN IF YOUR CLASS PERIOD DOES NOT MEET THAT PARTICULAR DAY)

September 14 Portfolio Starter

September 28 Essay #1

October 19 Essay #2

November 21 Essay #3

December 18 Essay #4

January 25 Essay #5

February 22 Essay #6

March 18 Essay #7

April 26 Essay #8

May 31 Essay #9