Jake Hawley

English 12 ERWC

05-19-18

Cover Letter

To whom it may concern

My english 12 portfolio consists of three quick writes, three annotated texts, three

summaries, one essay, and two presentations. I have selected these items to display because I feel

that they exemplify my skills, and progress as a reader and writer.

The process that I went through to complete the quick writes was simple. I was asked to

read the prompt given, attempt to answer it, research anything online if needed, and then finish

responding to the questions asked. For the annotated texts, I read each text once without

annotating anything, and then I began to annotate while reading it for a second time. For the

summaries, I took notes as I either watched a video or read part of the boo. Upon completion of

the notes I would then refine my notes into a well-written paragraph. The process that I go

through to create documents like these has changed because throughout this course I’ve learned

different steps to effectively respond to prompts and summarizing texts.

 My ability to create presentations has improved throughout the course. At first, I

struggled with writing outlines and content for presentations, but I eventually gained a better

understanding and earned a very high grade for my gun control presentation.

Over the course I have learned that my strengths as a reader and writer are writing essays,

and responding to writing prompts. I have modified my reading and writing processes by using

strategies such as annotating text, making connections to literature devices, and completing

outlines.

While completing these assignments, I have learned that academic reading and writing is

expected to be done very thoroughly in specific ways. I have been able to transfer what I have

learned about those expectations to other classes by using the strategies learned from this class

while completing writing assignments.

One thing I can do now that I could not do at the beginning of the course is completing

annotations of texts. Before this course, I did not understand how to properly annotate articles

that I read. However, I understand it now since the course gave me knowledge and practice on

how to efficiently do so.

The areas of my reading and writing that I still need development in are completing

outlines for essays. In order to help my improvement I could develop my own personal outlines

to be used in all pieces of academic writing in order to feel comfortable in my work.

I believe that I’m prepared for the academic reading and writing that I’m likely to

encounter in college my skills gained on this course.