May 11, 2015

Dr. Leslie Bruce

English Department. Room: UH-435
California State University, Fullerton
800 N. State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831
Dear Dr. Bruce,
I am writing this letter in order to illustrate to you that I have successfully
learned and applied the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) during this
semester in English 301. The included works that will demonstrate these
skills are the following: Peer review sheet written in class, the Profile paper
Canadian Harp Seal Hunting (original and revised versions), and this cover
letter. The above mentioned documents are arranged in order according the
Student Learning Objectives listed on the syllabus. These documents will
showcase my improvements throughout the course and my confidence as a
writer.
First, I will cover the SLO, Rhetorical Focus, with the Peer Review Sheet and
the Profile paper. The Peer Review sheet is a document used to critique a
classmates or groups work. The Peer Review sheet was written informally. I
didnt have much experience critiquing classmates works, but in this course
Ive had the opportunity to write informal evaluations on their papers. By
doing these peer reviews, its allowed me the opportunity to analyze a
persons work and offer written feedback. On the other hand, the profile
paper showcases my ability to write formally. The profile paper not only
informed the audience, but it gave the audience something to think about. I
believe I learned to do this by brainstorming my ideas and placing them
accurately on text. The profile paper was designed concisely for a wide
variety of audiences, whereas the cover letter was written for a specific
reader you.
Ethical Citation is the second SLO that will be demonstrated in the profile
paper. In this assignment, appropriate sources, citation, and citation style
were crucial. This was one of the most important lessons learned this
semester. The original profile piece was submitted with many citation errors
which were brought to our attention. There were missing citations on areas
that provided information that was not common knowledge and the

photographs used were also missing citations. This was something I was
unfamiliar with. My group and I reassessed the profile paper and completed
the needed adjustments. You will note these adjustments on the revised
profile paper. Citations will now forever be taken seriously.
The third SLO, Persuasive Arguments, will be demonstrated in the profile
paper and this cover letter. The information selected for the profile paper, its
organization, and its objectivity to present opposing arguments and cultural
values makes this paper a perfect representation of a persuasive argument.
In this class I learned that a persuasive argument must be objective, present
alternative resolutions, and have opposing arguments. I believe this was
accomplished in the profile paper. Though the profile was not intended to be
persuasive, I feel it does influence the reader into taking a side. This cover
letter is also a persuasive argument. Im offering information about my
learned skills, including mistakes made along the way, to validate my
receiving a generous grade.
Organization and Focus is the fourth SLO presented to you. This cover letter
is a great representation of an organized and focused document. I
demonstrate this by containing an introduction, a body, and a conclusion to
this letter. My thoughts are clearly communicated and organized. In this
class I learned to keep subjects short, verbs active, and leave unnecessary
prepositions out.
The fifth SLO, Academic Language and Design, is represented in the Profile
paper. The Profile paper objectively and concisely expresses ideas and
information while maintaining sensitivity to cultural differences. These
cultural differences are communicated to the audience openly and without
bias. This objectiveness and understanding was learned in class while
working on the Profile paper.
Collaboration, is the sixth and final SLO presented in this letter.
Collaboration is signified in the profile paper which was designed by my
profile group and me. Much thought and discussion within the group was
implemented during the project. We learned from each others strengths and
improved on each others writing skills. This was learned in class through
class participation and in-class peer reviews. Furthermore, the revised
version showcases the changes we made in order to submit an improved
copy.

In concluding this letter I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. I
have learned much about writing an organized and objective persuasive
argument with rhetorical focus and utilizing ethical research while
collaboratively recognizing language and design. I know that you will
observe and appreciate these works accessible in the portfolio I have
created. These represent hard work and determination to improve and excel
in the written word.
Sincerely,
Chris Quinones