Grade 10 · Extended Writing · Argument at Length
Building a Writing Portfolio
Select work that shows growth.
Learning objectives
- Select work that shows growth
- Write a reflective commentary
- Publish and format for an audience
AERO English Language Arts alignment
AERO.ELA.10.W.10
Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes and audiences. Grade 10 / MYP 5 emphasis: produce independent, evaluative analysis with nuanced interpretation, ready for MYP eAssessment demands.
AERO.ELA.10.W.6
Use technology, including the internet, to produce, publish and collaborate on writing, and to present relationships between information and ideas. Grade 10 / MYP 5 emphasis: produce independent, evaluative analysis with nuanced interpretation, ready for MYP eAssessment demands.
AERO.ELA.10.W.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using effective technique, relevant descriptive detail and well-structured event sequences. Grade 10 / MYP 5 emphasis: produce independent, evaluative analysis with nuanced interpretation, ready for MYP eAssessment demands.
AERO.ELA.10.W.7
Conduct short research projects to answer a question or solve a problem, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. Grade 10 / MYP 5 emphasis: produce independent, evaluative analysis with nuanced interpretation, ready for MYP eAssessment demands.
AERO.ELA.10.W.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research. Grade 10 / MYP 5 emphasis: produce independent, evaluative analysis with nuanced interpretation, ready for MYP eAssessment demands.
MYP criteria
- Criterion A — Analysing
- Criterion C — Producing text
ENGAGE
Your Writing Tells a Story
A writing portfolio is more than a folder of finished pieces. It shows how your thinking, organisation and control of language have developed over time. Imagine placing an early argument beside a carefully revised version. What would the changes reveal about you as a writer? In this lesson, you will select evidence of growth, write an evaluative commentary and plan a clear digital publication for a real audience.
Think about it
- Which piece of writing best represents your current ability?
- What revision has most improved one of your arguments?
EXPLORE
Read a Writer's Portfolio Commentary
Original extract: From draft to publication
When I began my argument about shaded walking routes in Doha, I relied too heavily on general claims. My first introduction stated that shade was simply “important for everyone”. In the revised version, I narrowed the issue by focusing on students and families walking to local facilities. I also added evidence about comfort, accessibility and regular outdoor activity. This sharper focus made my position more precise.
The two versions reveal growth in my organisation. My early paragraphs listed ideas without showing how they were connected. During revision, I arranged the points from immediate personal benefits to wider community effects. I added transitions to clarify this progression and developed a counterclaim about construction costs. Rather than dismissing that concern, I acknowledged it before explaining the possible long-term value of durable shade structures.
For publication, I would place the original introduction beside the revised one so readers could see the changes directly. I would use headings, consistent spacing and short captions to guide the reader. I would also check that every image had permission and alternative text. These choices would make the portfolio easier to navigate while keeping attention on the development of my argument.
Think about it
- Why does the writer select the two introductions for the portfolio?
- How did the writer improve the organisation and nuance of the argument?
- Which publishing choices help the audience understand the writer's growth?
EXPLAIN
Build a Purposeful Portfolio
1. Select evidence, not just your favourite work
Choose pieces that allow an audience to trace your development. A useful portfolio might include an early draft, feedback, a revised draft and a polished argument. Select contrasting evidence: for example, a paragraph with an unclear claim and its more precise revision. Your choices should demonstrate sustained writing across different stages, purposes or audiences.
Link to Criterion A
Your commentary should analyse specific choices and evaluate their effects. Do not merely report that a draft became better. Identify what changed, explain why it changed and judge how effectively the revision serves the argument and audience.
| Commentary move | Purpose | Useful frame |
|---|---|---|
| Identify | Name precise evidence from both versions. | In the earlier draft, I… |
| Interpret | Explain what the evidence reveals. | This suggests that my initial approach… |
| Evaluate | Judge the effect of the revision. | The revision is more effective because… |
| Set a goal | Turn reflection into future action. | In my next extended argument, I will… |
2. Organise for Criterion C
Shape the portfolio around a clear line of development. Begin with a short introduction explaining its purpose. Group related evidence under informative headings such as “Developing a Claim”, “Using Counterarguments” and “Revising for an Audience”. Place each reflection beside the work it discusses. Finish with an overall evaluation and a specific writing goal. This deliberate sequence helps the reader understand relationships between drafts, feedback and revisions.
Publish responsibly
Use readable fonts, consistent heading levels, page numbers and descriptive file names. Add captions, credits and alternative text where needed. Test every link and check the order of pages. Remove private comments, personal data and images without permission before sharing. Effective digital design supports meaning; decoration should never distract from the writing.
MYP_PRACTICE
Create a Portfolio Plan and Commentary
Choose two connected versions of an extended argument or two passages that show a clear change. Plan how you will present them, then write a focused reflective commentary of 120–160 words. Your commentary must identify evidence, interpret your development, evaluate the effect on the audience and establish one precise next step.
- Select two pieces or passages that reveal a meaningful change in your argument writing.
- Highlight one change in reasoning, organisation or audience awareness.
- Arrange the evidence in an order that makes your development easy to follow.
- Write your 120–160-word evaluative commentary using specific evidence from both versions.
- Add a title, headings and a publication note covering readability, permissions and accessibility.
EXIT_TICKET
Before you close this lesson
Think about it
- Which piece of evidence most clearly demonstrates your growth, and why?
- What one publishing choice will make your portfolio more effective for its audience?
Interactive practice · portfolio growth audit
Audit Your Evidence of Growth
Use this audit before assembling your digital portfolio. Record precise evidence rather than general statements, then use your notes to draft an evaluative commentary.
Check your answer
Task
Compare two connected pieces of argument writing and decide what their differences reveal.
Items
Sentence frames
Your answer
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Key vocabulary
- portfolio
- A purposeful collection of work showing your achievement and development.
- curate
- To select and arrange material for a clear purpose.
- evaluative commentary
- A reflection that uses evidence to judge the effectiveness of your choices.
- accessibility
- Designing information so that different readers can use and understand it.
Practice questions
0/3 correct
Level 1 · Criterion A
Which portfolio selection provides the clearest evidence of growth?
Level 2 · Criterion A
Which sentence is the strongest evaluative comment?
Level 2 · Criterion C
Which digital portfolio structure most clearly communicates development?
MYP criterion tasks
Level 3 · Criterion A
Explain how the writer in the extract demonstrates growth in handling a counterclaim.
Level 3 · Criterion C
Propose two formatting choices for a digital portfolio and explain how each supports the audience.
Reflect & track
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