Professors Edlund and Kraemer,

Completing my portfolio has given me an opportunity to reexamine my studies in the last two
years. Ive had a chance to reread many works and reconsider many ideas from many people.
Ive also had the occasion to look at my own work.
Theres no doubt I know much more about rhetoric and composition now than I did before I
started the program. Some rhetoricians I knew from previous study or professional development,
but many I did not know. In my paper for 584 that examines Susan B. Anthonys speech, I bring
Aristotle to the table to analyze the rhetoric of Anthony. Also, Socrates and the Sophists become
allies in my new rhetorical-analysis paper. Regarding knowledge of Modern Rhetoric, Cixous
brings an invigorating voice to my 583 paper on Edith Whartons Roman Fever, and Burke
works well in my TESL paper on motivation. Latour helps develop a new angle on Dr. Kings I
Have a Dream speech in my 581 paper, while Alcorn takes a stab at standardized testing in my
only new paper in this portfolio. The knowledge of these rhetoricians and their theories are
shown in my ability to use them to analyze texts that vary so widely. Lastly, Im able to apply
these theories in developing new pedagogies as shown in my reflection paper and in my new
rhetorical-analysis paper.
My TESL paper on motivation, I think, is a good example of applying theory, as I use Burke to
analyze motivation in a completely different way. Also, in my 588 paper that researched Dual
Enrollment Programs, Im able to apply James Paul Gees theory of social linguistics and give
good examples of how this theory actually works in the world of college.

Developing the idea of how rhetoric can be used to change a major social issue is seen in my
new rhetorical-analysis paper. This is developed as I explore the controversy surrounding
standardized tests and the impact it has on education today.
Using a readable, compelling and professional prose style is always the goal. I think Ive done
that well here.
In my original papers and here in my portfolio revisions of them, Ive discussed the pedagogy of
using Burke (TESL paper and 584 paper), Gee (588 paper), and Aristotle (584 paper). I have
adopted and adapted these to my courses I am teaching now and have taught during my tenure in
the program, which is shown in the above papers.
I think my Dual Enrollment Program paper for 588 is the best example of high-quality research
as I examined numerous studies on how this kind of program works and benefits all facets of the
educational world.
Creating this portfolio has been an interesting process; the reflection and review have helped me
consider where I will go from here when Im done with my studies.
-Sally