Assignment Summary: You will apply editing principles to write and edit between 1000-1200 words of your own writing. You will show evidence of this editing work through “Track Changes” and in-text comments that will directly cite principles in Working with Words. You will also write a reflective memo that provides a rhetorical rationale for your editing choices. Since employers will certainly look for examples of your writing and editing work, this will also be integrated into your professional portfolio assignment.

Edited Original Writing Sample First Full Draft Due: 2/19Polished Draft Due: 3/5Value: 25%

Resources:• Your own writing and your writing skills• Working with Words Handbook• Word Processing Software with Review, Comment, and Track Changes Features

Procedure:1) First, you will decide what kind of text to compose. Ideally, you should write something in a domain that you are interested in, is within your field of study, and/or is directed to a publication that you would like to work for. You can also perform a substantial revision of a text that you have already composed. Think of what kind of writing you want to show off in your professional portfolio that will present you in the best light.2) Second,using the Working with Words Handbook as a resource, you will write, revise, and edit your text, using the “review,” “comments,” and “track changes” features of your word processing software to visually demonstrate your writing process and the changes you make to your text. You’ll aim to write and edit on several levels: i) ensuring that your central argument/theme/purpose is clear in the text ii) striving for organization of your ideas to effectively convey this argument/theme/purpose; iii) selecting an appropriate genre for the writing situation and using this genre effectively; iv) ensuring that the text is free of mechanical errors and is grammatically correct;4) Following this, you will write a double-spaced, 1(full)-2 page rationale where you tell me: what audience this text is directed to; what text you were originally intending to write and how the final product is similar and/or different from that original intention; what you learned from this process.5)Email me your final digital revised draft, complete with all changes and comments visible, and your rhetorical rationale.

Assessment:Your grade for this assignment will be based on a number out of 20. A grade in the 20-18 range represents excellent work that surpasses expectations for the assignment; a grade in the 16-17 range represents very good work that accomplishes the assignment successfully; a grade in the 14-15 range represents satisfactory work. I will assess your work based on three factors:1) Quality of Writing and Editing: The most crucial element for success in this assignment. I’m looking for how well you employ your resources to compose and revise the text for clarity, coherence and polish; successful writing will also assume a confident voice, avoid cliches, and may take original/provocative/striking approaches. 2) Use of Applicable Rules: I’m looking for evidence that you have sought out and accurately applied the appropriate rules of mechanics and grammar. 3) Rhetorical Rationale: I will also take into account your reflections on your experience; considering how your thinking about your process connect to and/or are reflective of your draft.