Portfolio Instructions
Dear LART 200 student,
Because the English Department is committed to your success here at De Anza and to your goals
after your education, your writing and reading for LART 200 will be assessed in a portfolio both by
your LART 200 instructors. This assessment process has two parts.
First, you must complete the required work in your LART 200 at a satisfactory level. Your
instructor will give you specific information on both what work is required and the criteria for
earning a SATISFACTORY level.
Second, all students who satisfactorily complete the LART 200 required coursework will submit a
portfolio of their reading and writing assessment.
The reading portfolio will include:
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and a reflective Letter describing and reflecting on your growth as a reader and writer
throughout the quarter.
This writing portfolio will include
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one in-class paper and
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one paper written out of class
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One Paragraph
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and a reflective Letter describing and reflecting on your growth as a reader and writer
throughout the quarter.
This portfolio will be evaluated by your team of instructors at the end of the quarter. If the
assessment team agrees your work indicates readiness for 211, you will PASS LART 200. If the
assessment team agrees your work does NOT indicate readiness for English 1A, you will receive a
NO PASS for LART 200.
The English Department has created this portfolio assessment system to encourage all students to
become effective writers, one of the hallmarks of a successful student and of a successful
professional.
If you have questions about the portfolio or the portfolio assessment, speak with your instructor.
THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
DE ANZA COLLEGE
Scoring Guide for Essays
Mastery: The majority of the port of the Essay displays these characteristics.
Ideas
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Clear understanding of readings and essay topics
Strong awareness of what the reader needs to know about the topic
Clear ability to respond critically to one’s own and others’ experiences and ideas
Organization
• Controlling central idea and overall cohesive structure in each essay
• Clear sequential relationship between supporting ideas and central argument/controlling idea.
• Focused, cohesive paragraphs
Development
• Relevant examples with clear explanations of what the examples demonstrate
• Explanations in body paragraphs clearly linked to controlling idea of essay
• Examples which include detailed support
• Evidence of strong synthesis, argumentation, analysis, and/or problem-solving skills
Style
• Sentence variety
• Strong voice and control of tone
• Effective vocabulary
Mechanics
• Fluency and control of sentence construction
• Almost no syntactic, grammatical, and spelling errors
Passing: The majority of the essay will display these characteristics.
Ideas
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Demonstration of basic understanding of readings and essay topics
Most essays show awareness of what the reader needs to know about the topic
Demonstration of ability to respond critically to one’s own and others’ experiences and ideas.
Organization
• Controlling central idea and generally cohesive structure in each essay
• Generally clear sequential relationship between supporting ideas and central argument/controlling
idea.
• Generally focused, cohesive paragraphs
Development
• Mainly relevant examples with clear explanations of what the examples demonstrate
• Explanations in body paragraphs usually linked to controlling idea of essay
• Most examples include specific details
• Across the portfolio, writing shows evidence of synthesis, argumentation, analysis, and/or
problem-solving skills
Style
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Sentences include some variety
Sentences usually include effective vocabulary
Mechanics
• General fluency and control of sentence construction
• Minimal syntactic, grammatical, and spelling errors
Not passing: The majority of the portfolio lacks the characteristics of the passing portfolios.
Ideas
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Limited understanding of readings and essay topics
Limited awareness of what the reader needs to know about the topic
The portfolio includes minimal critical response to one’s own and others’ experiences and
ideas.
Organization
• Lacks overall of a central focus and logical structure
• Light or uneven relationships between supporting ideas and central argument/controlling
idea
• The majority of the paragraphs do not cohere and are not focused
Development
• Body paragraphs include few examples or minimal explanations of what the examples
demonstrate
• Explanations in body paragraphs occasionally linked to the controlling idea of the essay
• Examples occasionally include specific details
• Across the portfolio, essays are mainly developed through summary, narrative and/or
description
Style
• Sentences only occasionally show variety
• Vocabulary is very basic
Mechanics
• Limited fluency and control of sentence construction
• Frequent syntactical, grammar, and/or spelling errors
PARAGRAPH SCORING GUIDE
Mastery:
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Passing:
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The point is strong, taking a stance on the topic.
The writer fully supports each topic sentence with informative examples.
The writer provides strong analysis or interpretation of the support in the explanation.
The writer is showing excellent control of sentence structure and grammar and has almost no
errors.
The point is clear, but it needs to take more of a stance.
The writer supports the Point somewhat, but he/she could add more specificity to the examples.
The writer provides some explanation but could go deeper here.
The writer shows good control of sentence structure and grammar, but has several errors.
Not Passing:
• The point isn’t present and needs to be or it needs serious revision.
• The writer needs to add examples or expand examples.
• The writer has little or no explanation and needs to provide.
• The writer needs to spend much more time on grammar and sentence structure.