Writing Portfolio
"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say." --Anaïs Nin
My professional strength lies in being a teacher and writer. For thirty years, my university career has focused on rhetoric and writing that instructs, models, and assesses students in effective communication. My areas of focus include:
I am able to examine and adapt writing to meet the needs of multiple types and levels of audiences, purposes, messages, tones, and genres. I am adept at demonstrating and instructing students in a wide variety of discourse genres. My teaching strategies and examples model the range of my writing abilities. Below are some of these genres: |
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Publications
Aims and OptionsThe framework for Aims and Options is the rhetorical aims of writing: to reflect, to inform, to persuade, and to speculate. Samples of Aims and Options include the Table of Contents and "Introduction."
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Western Horseman
My first publication was the article "Horseshoeing for Beginners" I wrote for the national publication Western Horseman. The article is a process description of my father shoeing a horse.
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Proposals
I have had 24 proposals accepted to present papers at the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC). I have had proposals accepted to present papers to the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) conferences. These proposals are blind reviewed and accepted based on reviewer rankings.
Below are three CCCC proposals (2010-2012) and a 2012 NCTE proposal coauthored with John Brassell. Connected with this a proposal for university funding for the conference from Thomas E. Ricks Foundation.
When BYU-Idaho transitioned from the two-year Ricks College to a four-year university, I served as the English Department Chair. Below is the proposal I wrote and submitted to the Board of Trustees outlining the Bachelors of Arts English Major. |
Course Development
Most of my professional writing is curriculum development for both campus and online courses. Particularly for the online courses, I have generated all of the lessons including instruction, assignments, and assessments. I have included sample documents from business writing and research, technical communication, professional writing, and academic discourse.
Business Writing and ResearchI have developed both Business 499b Business Writing and Research and English 312 Advanced Business Writing. Examples of my writing for these courses include instructions for generating white papers, business plans, case studies, and writing for publication. The Spori Business Review image on the right is an example of the in-class professional journal my students produce.
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Technical CommunicationTeaching English 316 Technical Communication has provided the foundation for all writing courses that I teach. The ability to identify and respond to audience, purpose, message, and tone in simple, clear, understandable prose is essential to effective communication. Examples of my writing include various report genre assignments.
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Professional WritingI incorporate elements of professional writing into all of my advanced writing courses. I provide examples of assignments from two English major courses I have developed: English 390 Preparation for Internships and Careers and English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Seminar. These assignments allow students to explore and practice multiple writing situations they may encounter as they transition from academic to professional careers.
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Academic DiscourseExamples of my writing English 251 Fundamentals of Literary Interpretation Online course include lesson introductions, instructions on literary elements, explanations of literary theories, and descriptions of assignments.
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Presentations
Teaching, of course, is presentation. No matter how knowledgeable a person is of the subject, if the information is not presented purposefully, effectively, and meaningfully, then positive interaction is compromised.
Formal PresentationsThis section highlights formal presentations given in professional settings: conference papers for CCCC, dean's addresses to college faculty, and a devotional address for the entire university.
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PowerPoint PresentationsPresentations have become an effective method of visually presenting information to audiences. However, most presentations are not effective because of excessive words, poor visual design, and undetermined purpose. Leonardo da Vinci's "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" becomes my pattern for quality PowerPoint presentations.
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Electronic Media
Writers today must be familiar with multiple technologies and basic elements of document layout, web page design, and social media to effectively communicate to multiple audiences through multiple formats. I have had experience with web design, blogs, and social media.
Miscellaneous DocumentsI also have experience with Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher. Also I have included an accreditation report that I submitted to the university president.
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