How can you help students create a writing portfolio that showcases their strengths?

1 Define the purpose and audience

Before you start collecting and selecting pieces for the portfolio, you need to clarify the purpose and audience of the portfolio. Is it for a specific course, program, or graduation requirement? Is it for applying to college, scholarships, or jobs? Is it for personal or professional development? Depending on the purpose and audience, you and your students may have different criteria and expectations for the portfolio. For example, a portfolio for a creative writing class may focus on originality, voice, and genre, while a portfolio for a business writing course may emphasize clarity, accuracy, and format. You and your students should discuss and agree on the purpose and audience of the portfolio and how it will be evaluated.

2 Choose a format and platform

The next step is to decide on the format and platform of the portfolio. Will it be a physical or digital portfolio? Will it be a binder, a folder, a website, or an e-portfolio platform? The format and platform of the portfolio should suit the purpose and audience of the portfolio, as well as the type and quantity of work you want to include. For example, if you want to showcase your students' multimedia or interactive projects, a digital portfolio may be more appropriate than a physical one. If you want to limit the number of pieces or pages, a folder or a binder may be more convenient than a website or an e-portfolio platform. You and your students should explore and compare different options and choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

3 Collect and select pieces

The core of the portfolio is the collection and selection of pieces that represent your students' best work. You and your students should review the work they have done throughout the course or program and identify the pieces that demonstrate their strengths, growth, and learning outcomes. You may also want to include some drafts or revisions to show the writing process and improvement. You and your students should apply the criteria and expectations that you have established for the portfolio and choose the pieces that best meet them. You may also want to consider the variety, relevance, and coherence of the pieces and how they fit together as a whole.

4 Reflect and revise

Once you have collected and selected the pieces for the portfolio, you and your students should reflect and revise them to ensure that they are polished and ready for presentation. You and your students should review each piece and check for any errors, inconsistencies, or gaps in content, structure, style, and mechanics. You may also want to ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or experts and incorporate their suggestions. You and your students should also write a reflection for each piece or for the entire portfolio that explains the purpose, context, goals, challenges, and achievements of the work. The reflection should highlight the strengths and areas for improvement of the work and how it relates to the portfolio's purpose and audience.

5 Organize and design

The final step is to organize and design the portfolio to make it easy to navigate and appealing to the eye. You and your students should arrange the pieces in a logical and coherent order that showcases their progression, diversity, and connection. You may also want to include a table of contents, an introduction, a conclusion, or a cover page to provide an overview and a summary of the portfolio. You and your students should also choose a layout, a font, a color scheme, and a visual style that match the tone and purpose of the portfolio and enhance its readability and attractiveness. You and your students should test and preview the portfolio and make sure that it works well on different devices and platforms.

A writing portfolio is a powerful way to showcase your students' writing skills and achievements. By following these steps, you can help your students create a writing portfolio that reflects their strengths and meets their goals. You can also use the portfolio as a tool for feedback, assessment, and improvement. A writing portfolio is not only a product of your students' work, but also a process of their learning and growth as writers.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?