1.   The essay that I chose was the descriptive essay. I enjoyed writing my own personal experience with detail, especially since I remember the event very well. I accidentally gave a guy a black eye by throwing an orange. That's not very common to hear about and it is something that I will never forget. The first major essay assigned in the class was the descriptive essay. I still am nervous when starting a paper, but have improved by writing what's on my mind, even if it doesn't quite add up with my thesis. I do care how I do in school and with my writing, but with rough drafts, I've tried to not worry too much how it turns out, since it's only a rough draft. I thought that my first draft with the descriptive essay was awesome. Unfortuantly, it wasn't as well done as I hoped and thought. I had it peer reviewed and revised it a few more times before turning in my final draft, realizing how much better it was after each revision. I became more confident in my writing and not as afraid to write with my own personal style during and after the descriptive essay. It was fun to write about and helped me overcome fear of failure by improving and learning that one rough draft isn't always enough.

2.   The typical answer and probably the expected answer for the grade people think that they should receive on their portfolio is an 'A'. I honesly don't think that I should reveive an 'A' because my work doesn't feel 'A' quality. Thats my reason for that. I do think that I should receive a 'B' or a 'C' depending on whoever gives me the portfolio grade because not everyone grades the same. I think I should receive a 'B' at the highest because I have learned quite a bit from my mistakes. There are quite a few mistakes in my papers, but from the teacher's revisions and comments, I know what my strengths and weaknesses are and where I need to improve. When writing involves creativity and detail, I do well. If writing requires research and citing my sources, I struggle more since my own opinion and experiences usually aren't valid for a research paper. I have learned to improve on this by writing three research papers this semester total from my all of my classes (with my english paper being the weakest our of the three). My portfolio shows that I know where I need to improve with my writing and that I am willing.

3.   As "humbling" as this may sound, my own portfolio was my favorite. I can explain to people and tell them how I have improved, but I am the only one who truly understands my own improvements and strengths and weaknesses.

Benjamin Weakland