Course Overview and Policy Statements
In each portfolio you compile this semester, you will present your best, finished writing and related documents to demonstrate what you have learned about science writing for particular contexts and audiences.
Cover sheet. A detailed analysis of the context (purpose/audience/subject/author) for each piece, an explanation of how contextual factors influenced particular choices you made in writing each piece, and a brief comparison/contrast of your pieces.
Postscript. Your answers to questions about your writing process and the questions you would like answered by my comments.
Grading Criteria. A list of the criteria against which your finished pieces should be evaluated. We will establish a general set of criteria as a class and then you will negotiate specific criteria relevant to the contexts in which you are writing.
Finished Pieces of Writing. You will submit approximately ten (portfolio 1) to fifteen (portfolio 2) pages of finished, polished writing directed at particular non-technical audiences who read science writing. Each piece must differ in its context in some significant way (audience/purpose). Graphics, photographs, and/or artwork certainly may be submitted with your writing to enhance its presentation, but these will not count toward the total of finished pages. Please see the more detailed explanations of portfolios 1 and 2 for additional guidelines and initial criteria.
All of the above must be typed in the standard format (1 inch margins, double-spaced, readable font).
Supplementary materials. Prepare a folder (I'd suggest an expandable one) with photocopies of sources, context analyses, drafts, workshops, notes, scribbles, etc. I reserve the right to ask to see this folder as I grade your portfolio. I recommend using this folder from the earliest stages of research to keep yourself somewhat organized throughout the process.
