Stephanie Cabaas

May 13, 2017

Dr. Leslie Bruce

University Hall room 435
800 N. State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831

Dear Dr. Bruce,

As the semester comes to an end, I believe that my writing has improved. Although I still have
improvement to do, I do believe that I am a better writer now than I was in the beginning of the
semester. I have improved my writing by following the six student learning outcomes (SLOs).
Not only have I used the SLOs for your class but I have also learned how to incorporate it with
assignments that I have received in my other classes. Here in my portfolio I have decided to
include my annotated bibliography and peer review to demonstrate how I have used Specific
SLOs to complete these assignments.
The first assignment that I have decided to include in my portfolio is my revised annotated
portfolio. My revised annotated bibliography is a great example of my understanding of the
student learning outcomes. This section demonstrates a clear understanding of rhetorical focus
through formally addressing the what the death penalty is in my introduction and by focusing on
my audience and giving them an introduction on the death penalty. I also made sure to get my
point across while still respecting my audience needs (SLO1). Persuasive language was used
when I explained to my audience why I believe that the death penalty is more effective than
having someone on life without parole (SLO3). Ethical Research was developed in the
summaries of the sources that I was going to use. The summaries were to explain how I was
going to use and how useful they would be for my editorial (SLO2). I show my strengths in
organization and focus (SLO4) through the formation of each resource that I provided. Academic
Language and Design was used to set the language of my editorial since I used unbiased
language and used a design that would make it easier for my readers to follow. I used this by
explaining why I believe the death penalty is effective but at the same time how I believe that we
have to make sure that there is no bias when writing (SLO5).
In my portfolio I have also included a peer review for week 8 to demonstrate how I used and my
knowledge of the student learning outcomes (SLOs). Collaboration played a huge role in this
assignment, since I was giving and receiving feedback. I gave feedback to a classmate, and they
were able to use my feedback to improve their bibliographies. We had to use collaboration by
helping each other to improve or writing skills and by giving each other constructive criticism
(SLO6). SLO5 allowed me to use language and design that was easy for my peer to follow.
I decided to include my revised annotated bibliography and peer review because I truly believe
that they demonstrate the competence in the student learning outcomes (SLOs). Learning the
objectives of the student learning outcomes has improved my writing and has only benefited me
because I was able to use them in all my classes. I will continue to work and improve my
writing.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Cabaas