More ideas

As I mentioned in class, I really like the linear quality of the journey map, particularly a subway map. The colors are basic and the layout is usually geometrically simple. As you lay out each page of your portfolio, the subway map would allow you to create something meaningful but uncomplicated. I’m imagining a simple bold line on the bottom of each page, with the current “stop” in bold and previous and future stops visible. An online portfolio would also really work with this style – each “stop” would be a link to a different page.

Other ideas that come to mind:

• A runner facing hurdles. This also fits in with basic writing center philosophy.

• Alphabet blocks. You could title the sections of your portfolio so that they would be in alphabetical order, then use images of children’s alphabet blocks as the unifying theme.

• Root structure. I mentioned this in class too, and it’s similar to Ali’s tree idea below. The roots symbolize the beginnings of writing. The beautiful tree or flower above ground is the result, but it’s the roots that keep it alive.

• Birds. The metaphor here is that in takeoff, birds do not appear graceful, but in flight, the opposite is true. You’ve also got the flock mentality, which makes it similar to Ali’s Elephant theme below.

When we started this exercise, I had trouble thinking of a theme. Now that I’ve taken some (but not very much) time, I’ve realized that almost anything works, as long as it’s unifying and symbolic. And you can usually find meaning in any object if you spend some time thinking about it.

As I type this, Magnum P.I. is on the television in the other room. It occurs to me that a detective theme, like Sherlock Holmes, (or Magnum, if you thought your professor would go for it) would work great. You’ve got magnifying glasses, fingerprints, clues, etc.

The ideas seem endless.

Ideas for Portfolio

I am not exactly sure what we are supposed to do here, but I will give it a try. I have had several ideas concerning my portfolio theme, but three have really jumped out at me. The first is what I talked about in class, the tree idea. I think this is a good metaphor for writing, as I mentioned before, because it emphasizes the hard work or "climb" that writers have to take when they begin a piece. My next thought was that of a herd of elephants or something of that nature. I personally love elephants, and they relate to writing center philosophy in that they are very concerned with the well-being of each elephant in the group and the group as a whole. I was thinking that I could put various comments explaining this relationship along the border of my portfolio. The third option, the most girlish option, is that of making my portfolio based on getting dressed. So each page could be centered around a piece of clothing, with the more major writing issues being associated with the more important pieces of clothing. Anyway, let me know what you think.

Welcome!

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