Exit Portfolio

All TSC majors are required to submit an exit portfolio before graduation. The purpose of this portfolio is not to assess students but, rather, to help the Institute assess its undergraduate program. The portfolios will help faculty at the Institute determine where the program is strong and where it needs curricular changes.

The portfolio should illustrate the student's knowledge of and practical experience with technical communication. It should demonstrate achievement as a technical communicator.

Purpose of the Exit Portfolio

• It helps ITSC improve its undergraduate program.
• It maintains and increases the value of the TSC degree.
• It is a requirement for graduation.

Due Dates

Submit your portfolio to the Institute Assessment Coordinator on the Monday of the last full week of class just before you graduate.

Items to include

• Three selections from TSC courses and a selection of your choice (any department). Your selections should represent a range of styles and genres (e.g., proposal, report, website, instructions, brochure, etc.), both print and electronic. You are encouraged to revise all selections to make each piece an example of your best work.
• A 1,000-word cover letter. In your letter explain the context of each piece, discuss your reasons for selecting each piece, and assess your strengths and weaknesses as a technical communicator. Format this letter as a formal business letter and address it to the ITSC Assessment Committee.
• Signed release form.

Electronic documents

You can submit electronic documents. Electronic submissions must be PC compatible and readable using the software found in our Harrison Labs. All electronic material must be burned onto a CD-R. If you wish to submit a website, the website should be able to run without glitches from the disk (that is, all the addresses and links should work), and students should include copies of the paper releases for all recognizable people and a statement that the graphics are, indeed, copyright free.

Portfolio Assembly

You should place all materials (including disks) in a 10" x 13" envelope. If your materials do not fit in one envelope, use two. Do not seal the envelope. Arrange inside materials in the following order: cover letter, pieces 1-4, and release form. On the outside of the envelope, print your full name, student ID number, and date of graduation. Also, please submit "clean" copy, free of grades and teacher comments.

Ownership of materials

Portfolio materials become property of the Institute and JMU. The ITSC will use your materials as part of our program assessment.

Portfolio Assessment

Portfolios are read holistically. That is, reviewers do not attempt to assign a rating to particular documents in the portfolio. Overall scores (5-25) are determined by adding the five feature scores. Scores given to each feature range from 5 (outstanding) down to 1 (seriously flawed). Evaluators consider a number of features and determine the extent to which each portfolio, considered as a whole, demonstrates mastery of the following features:

• Audience
• Visual Design
• Content Development
• Style
• Language Conventions

Further Questions?

If you would like to discuss any part of this assessment process, please contact our Institute's Assessment Coordinator, Dr. Mark Hawthorne (hawthomd@jmu.edu).

You can also see some of the portfolio pieces previous TSC students have created in the Students Projects page.

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