This document outlines 5 portfolio assignments for an ENG4U course. Each portfolio asks students to reflect on topics related to texts read in class or concepts discussed in philosophy. They are asked to consider themes like the importance of names, memories of school, vocabulary words from The Great Gatsby, characters in Othello, and relationships portrayed in various works. Students also have the option to write on "philosopher's special" topics exploring ideas such as the role of internal thought and the relationship between past and future.

1. Portfolio Assignments
ENG4U

2. Portfolio #1
After reading “First They
Changed My Name,” reflect
upon the importance of your
name to your sense of self.
OR the philosopher’s special:
Reflect upon the importance of the language of “that
little voice in your head” to how the world occurs for
you. What is the voice telling you about aspects of your
life? What is the payoff of listening to the voice? What
are the costs?

3. Portfolio #2
After reading “Half a Day,”
reflect upon your earliest
memories of school.
OR the philosopher’s special:
After reading “Power and Possibility,” reflect upon the
idea that people put their pasts in their futures, instead
of in their pasts. Examine what kind of a life would be
possible for you if you lived into a future that was not
conditioned by your past experiences.

4. Portfolio #3
After completing “The Great
Gatsby: Master Vocabulary
List” assignment, select 10 of
the defined words and use
them in an original short story.

5. Portfolio #4
After reading this far in Othello, write two full, formal,
persuasive paragraphs, each based upon one of
the following 2 topics:
1. Iago is a shrewd judge of character.
2. Othello “thinks men honest that but seem to be so.”
OR the philosopher’s special:
After reading “What’s ‘Real?’,” reflect upon the idea that
most of what we think is real just exists in the language in
our heads: a product of our personal tests and agreements.
How can this insight lead to a “real” difference in what is
possible for you in life?

6. Portfolio #5
Reflect upon your reactions to
the “relationships” we’ve
seen so far in the course
(Short Stories / Gatsby /
Othello):
Do they deal with realistic
issues in a believable way?
Do they relate to your culture
& society today? What do
you think / feel about them?