Compiling a Portfolio

Portfolios are used for many things and by many people. Artists use them, models use them, and also writers use them. Basically they are just a collection of your best work and why you think they are good. When creating a portfolio you want to ask yourself what the purpose is, who is the audience, what is the genre, what is your stance, and what is the design going to be like. For writers, portfolios need to include freewriting, outlines, rough drafts, edited drafts, source materials, notes, and also reflections of your own work. Once you've compiled your portfolio, my book says that the most important aspect of your portfolio is the written statement reflecting on your own work. I never even knew this was to be included into a portfolio. A specific type of portfolio is a Literacy Portfolio, which is used for you to describe how you and your writing have evolved throughout the years. You might want to think about things like do you enjoy reading? What's the earliest thing you remember reading and writing? Who is most responsible for shaping your writing? All of these questions should be answered in your literacy portfolio. You may also want to include school papers, drawings from your childhood, photos, favorite books, and so on. I think a literacy portfolio might be kind of fun to do because you get to remember your childhood and the good memories that come with it.