COVER LETTER

Naturally, the cover letter is an entry from which the teacher can evaluate the whole result of a student in the forth semester. In my opinion, the cover letter is very essential to be put on the top of portfolio. In this cover letter, I am going to explain what I have learnt in this semester and my progress, introduce my portfolio content and the reason why I chose them. Firstly, the semesters aim is to help students write academic basic paragraphs by providing many useful things such as summarizing, paraphrasing and three helpful types: comparison and contrast paragraph, cause and effect paragraph and argument paragraph. Though the information in each unit seems to be too much and quite strange, it is also far more difficult for students to apply them fluently than that of the previous semester. After the first two units Paraphrasing and Summarizing, I had confidence in using synonyms, general terms, and a variety of sentence structures. This helped me not only increase my vocabulary but also flexibly use structures in order to support three following types of paragraphs. Part two is about three popular types of paragraphs. The beginning is a comparison and contrast paragraph. It was very exciting to analyze similarities and differences by supporting ideas and examples. It came no doubt that I was impressed at this type. As for cause effect paragraphs, I found it interesting to seek relevant examples and illustrations for motives or consequences of the topic I chose. Due to the importance of argument paragraphs, I, especially, focused on supporting ideas and examples to defense my own opinions. Moreover, the paragraph was more attractive with various noun phrases, adverbs. Frankly, after all, now I may know the process to write three types well. Addition, I was also interested in language features that supported my academic writing skill. However, it was careless of me to get into some spelling as well as grammar mistakes. I am sure that this will be better in the next semester. It is time I introduced my portfolio contents. There are four parts: cover letter, three entries, peer-evaluation sheets, and one portfolio assessment form. The first part cover letter covers all my progress and introduces my portfolio in brief. In the second part, three entries are arranged in order of priority: cause and effect paragraph (the causes of teenager smoking), comparison and contrast paragraph (Home-cooked meal is better than fast food) and argument paragraph (are imported goods always better than domestic goods?). One of my classmates gives her evaluation about my portfolio in the third part and the last is the teachers assessment. In this paragraph, I will show some reasons why I arranged three entries. Truly, I was interested in the cause and effect paragraphs topic I chose a lot. All ideas as well as
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supporting ideas are simple but useful to make the paragraph more attractive. After choosing a right topic, I was like a leaf meeting a wind. Besides, I prepared it the most carefully among three entries. As for the comparison and contrast paragraph, I also like it. Interesting as the topic is, I still made some careless mistakes These two entries were both well-designed with clear points. However, the last entry was not good enough. At first, I hardly chose the most interesting topic among arguments topics. The main ideas were quite OK, but I found it difficult when choosing real supporting ideas. Addition, I did the second draft under time pressure without carefulness. Personally, I have tried my best in studying and finishing all assignments with a good result. Every part in this portfolio contains my great efforts as well as my hope to get higher marks. All in all, I totally satisfy with my performance.

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