First-stage writing portfolio: Reflective Introduction Essay (RIE)
Sample RIE: See the Portfolio Guide for complete instructions on what to include in your RIE.
- Remember the total RIE word count is 750 words (ok if it is a bit shorter or longer)
- Put your word count for the RIE at the top of the first page of the RIE.
- You should NOT cut and paste the sample material below (or write your sentences to mimic the structure of those below). Your RIE should focus on specific elements of your writing and your writing process.
Short Introduction
Keep this section to 150-200 words or fewer (unless you include info you might otherwise put in a Conclusion: see below). The main purpose of this section is to introduce yourself as a writer and to reflect briefly on your writing knowledge, growth, and areas for improvement.
Sample Intro
After completing one full semester of FYS and a few weeks into the spring term, I have learned much about my writing so far. I entered Oxy feeling fairly confident about my writing abilities and I typically received positive feedback on my writing previously. What I have discovered so far at Oxy is that in order to continue to improve my writing and produce successful essays I need to dedicate more time to my writing process. In my early assignments, I was not setting aside enough time for revision and so the essays I turned in were less polished and complete. There are also specific areas in my writing I need to focus on to improve, especially paragraph structure, topic claims, and conclusions. I have submitted three essays that I believe best represent the current strengths of my writing: clear thesis statements, effective use of evidence from sources, and overall presentation of my ideas in terms of grammar and style.
Essay #1 Title and Reflection
Aim for around 150 words
Sample Paragraph
The essay titled “______” was the second paper for my fall FYS course. The assignment was to choose one of six designated readings and write a 2-3 page paper in two parts: summarizing the author’s argument in the first part and analyzing the argument in the second part. Unlike my first essay for this class, I planned more carefully for this paper so I could draft and revise before turning it in. I also found the workshop we had in class on citations useful as I wrote this paper, and I selected stronger quotes and integrated them into my paragraphs. We did not have peer review for this essay and I did not receive any initial feedback from my instructor, but I went to the Writing Center a few times to talk through my ideas and to create a stronger thesis. I spent a total of about 11 hours on this essay. I believe the final version of this essay reflects my ability to write a clear main thesis and to use quotes effectively as evidence for my claims.
Essay #2 Title and Reflection
Aim for around 150 words
Sample Paragraph
Similar to Essay #1
Essay #3 Title and Reflection
Aim for around 150 words
Sample Paragraph
Similar to Essay #1
Brief Conclusion (OPTIONAL)
You can include a short conclusion (~100 words) to say more about your writing and writing process and why you believe your portfolio demonstrates that you have achieved collegelevel writing proficiency OR you can include this information in your Introduction.
Sample Conclusion
I believe my writing shows I am prepared for more advanced or upper-division writing courses. I took a 200-level history course already which required a significant amount of writing (3 essays including a final research paper), and I completed the assignments successfully. This is not to say I do not have more to learn or that there are no improvements to make in my writing. I would like to keep working on organization and paragraph structure so the progression of my ideas is clearer to my readers, and I need better “signposts” such as topic claims and transitions.