Esther Lopez

Tustin, Ca

Humanities
800 N State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831

Greetings Dr. Bruce,

Throughout the semester I’ve utilized the tools that have been given to me to guide me into
improving my writing skills as both soley a student and also as a science based student though
SLO guideline assignments, with assignments such as the extended definition essay that covers
every learning outcome. The skills I personally feel have shown the most growth this semester
are rhetorical awareness and language/design , both appearing in my extended definition revision
assignment through learning how to properly format the assignment using graphics and other
techniques. In this portfolio I will demonstrate my other best works of the semester that
demonstrate my growth as a writer as well as use this cover letter to demonstrate the persuasion
SLO.

I selected a revised extended definition assignment to demonstrate my learned skills as a

scientific writer because I believe that I demonstrate most to all of the learning outcomes such as
SLO 1, 2, 4, and 5 and because I have improved the assignment through in class criticism and
through your commentary. Student Learning Outcomes such as SLO 5, was one of the skills that
I had trouble the most that was pointed out by comments such as question marks on my
sentences or that I could reword a sentence of my paper. One of the SLO’s that was new to me as
a writer was using good references to use for my work, such as the library source that link us
through academically reviewed articles, which goes along the SLO 2. I learned how to
incorporate research that I analyzed for the assignment and be able to incorporate it into my own
work, such as when I reference new found brain scans done on borderline personality disorder
patients and how it related to the etiology of BPD in a way that my specific audience will
understand material that might be new to them.

For the SLO 6, I use the Team Charter assignment to represent my developed ability in
collaboration via creating a worksheet that documents each group members’ responsibilities and
commitments, as well as any personal setbacks we foresee that may affect our performance. I
found this as an opportunity to collaborate vocally with my peers and be able to also create a
cohesive design that went along with the goals we set up for ourselves and we each were able to
critique one another in real time as we shared a document therefore mistakes were noted as soon
as they were made.

Taking this course has significantly changed how I take on writing from the beginning as well be
more proactive on changing my writing from criticism. The different forms of prewriting and
organizing my work once I have set out with what I know I want to put down on a page. The
different skills i’ve developed as a writer will make a big impact for my future learning
experience at CSUF as a student and as a scientific writer.

Sincerely,
Esther Lopez