Portfolio Requirements
Download forms to accompany the portfolio.
There are two components to a Writing Portfolio, and depending on the length of each paper (see length criteria below), a Writing Proficiency Portfolio may consist of three to five papers. The first component is one new essay answering a question about a set of readings provided by the Writing Proficiency Requirement Office; second, you will need to provide two to four graded course papers, each certified by the instructor. All papers must demonstrate proficiency according to the standards outlined below and in The Elements of Writing Proficiency.
1. The supporting course papers must meet all of these criteria:
- Each must be a graded paper, written for a course taught at UMass Boston (such as, but not limited to, English 102, G100 First Year Seminar, G200 Intermediate Seminar). At least one of the supporting papers must come from a course at the 200 level or higher (such as a G200 Intermediate Seminar).
- At least one of the papers must come from a course at the 200 level or higher (such as, but not limited to, an Intermediate Seminar).
- All papers must be analytical essays written in English and must demonstrate proficiency according to the criteria outlined in the Elements of Writing Proficiency. Just because you have "good" grades on your supporting papers does not automatically mean the portfolio will be evaluated as a pass because the criteria that teachers use may not match those in the Elements of Writing Proficiency.
- If only two supporting papers are submitted, both must be based on the analysis of two or more readings. If three or four supporting papers are submitted, only one paper may be based on the analysis of one reading or on the analysis of information gathered through observation, interview, or experimentation.
- Each paper must come from a different course.
- A portfolio must contain two to four graded course papers and must total at least 15 full pages of analytical writing: One paper must be at least five full pages long and no paper can be less than three full pages.
- All papers must be typed (double-spaced, 1" margins maximum, 12-point type, on 8 1/2" X 11" paper) or the equivalent.
- Each paper must be certified as the original graded paper. If the original was handwritten, a typed transcription (not a revision) must be attached to the original.
- Each original graded paper must have a completed certification form (signed by the instructor who graded it) attached to it . (A department chair may sign the certificate only if the instructor is no longer here or is on leave.) Please start the process of certification as soon as you can; the closer it gets to the end of the semester, the harder it becomes to connect with teachers to get papers certified.
- Student must fill out completely and sign the Portfolio Submission Form and hand it in with his or her portfolio. Both the Certification and Submission forms can be download by clicking the link at the top of this page.
- All Portfolios must be submitted in a folder or an envelope before 5:00 p.m. on the due date.
- Any Portfolio that is submitted but does not meet all of the requirements will be graded as a "Void," and the student will have to submit a new portfolio in the next testing period.
2. Please read carefully: There is an Exception to 15-page supporting-paper requirement but it only applies to a new transfer student, who will have completed 75 or more credits at the end of his/her first semester at UMB. If, and only if, you are a transfer student who has not yet completed your second semester, then you may submit a mid-semester portfolio (March or October) of either two or three supporting paper that are at least 10 pages, in addition to the required new essay. At least two supporting papers must be submitted, they must be from UMB courses and there must total of at least 10 pages: one must be at least five full typed pages or more in length and no paper can be less than three full pages. All papers must be based on the analysis of two or more readings, and must be original graded papers (see full criteria for supporting papers above). At least one of the papers must come from a course at the 200 level or higher. The Portfolio Submission Form has space for listing the supporting papers; a new transfer student should use the space for the fourth supporting paper to write that he or she is a new transfer student and the date he or she transferred to UMB.
3. The new essay, based on readings and a question distributed by the Writing Proficiency Office, must be a full five typed pages or more in length (see format requirements above) and must contain, on its cover page, this statement, signed by the student verifying its truth: "I certify that this essay is entirely my own work and has not been revised or altered by anyone else."
4. Students must fill out completely and sign a Portfolio Submission Form and hand it in with his or her portfolio.
5. Completed portfolios must be submitted in an envelope or folder before 5 p.m. on the due date.
Important:
a.) The policies on academic honesty and plagiarism printed in the University Undergraduate Catalog also apply to the submission of a Writing Proficiency Portfolio. The consequences of violating these policies are serious and may include suspension or expulsion.
b.) Occasionally, faculty graders question whether a particular portfolio represents the student's own work. In such cases, additional evidence may be requested as part of an investigation. In such cases, graders give a grade of Void. Therefore, students should retain copies of their drafts and/or working notes for the new portfolio essay until after the grading has been completed.
c.) Discussing the readings in a workshop or with friends is an appropriate way to help prepare to write the essay. However, it is not permissible to engage the assistance of another person, whether for payment or not, in writing, revising, or editing the final essay. Students composing essays on a word-processor may use spell-checkers for light editorial assistance.
Portfolios are kept on file for about 10 years. If you wish to reclaim your original essays, make photocopies of your graded papers before turning them in. When you have successfully completed the proficiency requirement you may exchange the copies for your originals. If you have questions, call the Writing Proficiency Office (617 287-6330) and make an appointment with a counselor.