2021

English A SBA Student Guide

Pitta -Gay Powell

8/26/2021
English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

English Language Student Guide

An Introduction

(1) You need to understand that you are to create a portfolio. A portfolio is a compilation

of work.
 Except, you don’t have to print your work and you do not need a physical folder. You

will leave it in the digital format for emailing to your teacher. Follow the link below

for more information about digital portfolios:

How to Create Digital Portfolios. Portfolios are great for a number of… | by Stephen

Mosley | Medium

Please remember that the SBA is only to be sent in one of two formats: Microsoft

Word or PDF.

(2) This specific SBA has 6 graded parts which add up to a total of 45 marks. 4 out of the

6 parts will be present in your typed portfolio while the other 2 parts is based on your

actions which the teacher will observe.

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell
English A SBA Graded Sections

Section Possible Marks Type of work

Plan of Investigation 5 Individual (by yourself)

Individual Participation Measure 5 Individual (by yourself)

Reflection x3 5 Individual (by yourself)

Quality of Group Activity 10 Teacher’s task

Written Report 10 Group work (collaboration)

 Oral Presentation 10 Individual

Total 45

Graded parts of the SBA to be included in the portfolio

Graded parts of the SBA to be observed and graded by teacher

The portfolio also includes parts which are not graded but are essential for your portfolio to

make sense.

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Table of Content for the Digital Portfolio

Table of Contents
Page number
1. Plan of Investigation …………………………..
2. Individual Participation Measure………………
3. Quality of Group Activity……………………..
 4. Source 1………………………………………..

5. Source 2……………………………………….
6. Source 3 ………………………………………
7. Reflection 1…………………………………..
8. Reflection 2……………………………………
9. Reflection 3……………………………………
10. Written Report ………………………………
11. Group Artifact 1……………………………...
12. Group Artifact 2……………………………...

13. Group Artifact

3……………………………… 14. Oral
Presentation Plan ……………….

15. Works Cited…………………………………..

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step by Step Guide to Compiling the English A SBA

Step 1: Form groups of 4-5 members

Step 2: Choose a general group topic that all group members agree with.

Step 3: Create a sub-topic (related to the group topic) which you can complete research

about. (I prefer the topic in the form of a question)

Step 4: Complete The ‘Plan of Investigation’

This part of your SBA should follow your table of content. It is ONE paragraph of

approximately 100 words. This paragraph answers the following questions.

(1) What is your group topic and your individual topic of research? (Please note that I

expect your topic of research to be in the form of a question preferably starting with

“In what way does...,” “How is/are/does....” etc)

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(2) Why did you choose your individual research topic? (It is not acceptable to write that

your teacher assigned you a topic. Reasons for choosing your topic may include but is

not limited to your hobbies, career path or personal experience.) Keep it to the point.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(3) How do you expect to improve as a student of English as a result of completing this

SBA? (List 3 ways)

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

(4) How do you plan to collect articles to inform your research?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________ (5)

List 3 English skills that you expect to use in analyzing your articles.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
 Note: The grid on the following page will help you to respond to item (5). Whatever

you choose for item (5), try to ensure it connects with your response to item (3)

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Combine your answers above in a paragraph on the lines below

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell
Step 5: Read and complete the Individual Participation Measure

(Nb: You will complete this task twice- once earlier in the process, then once again

closer to the end. Your teacher will give you specific dates)

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

The Individual Participation Measure

The total marks for the Individual Participation Measure will be 5 marks based on the responses
obtained from the sessions conducted by the teacher.

Student's Name:
________________________________________________ Groups Theme:
________________________________________________ Sub-Topic:
____________________________________________________

Rating Criteria Preliminary Student’s Record Preliminary

Rating of Teacher’s Rating
1 - Yes Comments/Suggestions 1 - Yes
0 - Uncertain 0-
-1 - No Uncertain
-1 - No

I know what I am
expected to do to
work well in a team.

I am able to focus
on what is taking
place in the group.

In the group, I feel

self-confidence,
self-esteem and
self efficacy.

I know how to
manage how I
behave in the group,

I manage my tasks
on time and
thoroughly.

Total /5 /5

Name of Teacher ______________________________________

Date & time of preliminary rating _________________________

Date & time of final raing _______________________________

NOTE:

This scale should be completed by the teacher in discussion with the student on two different occasions. After
the first assessment, discussion should take place and feedback should be given to the students to allow for
improvement. The second assessment should produce the final mark out of the five agreed on by the teacher and
student.
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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 6: Collect three articles/artefacts/sources of material to inform your

portfolio. The articles chosen should satisfy the following criteria:

- These articles must be relevant to your individual topic.

- It is required that at least ONE of your three articles are PRINT- this means that it is

writing has been published either physically as in traditional books or newspaper or

more modern digital/online versions.

- Examples of other items which may be used as articles/artefacts/sources to inform

your research are posters, songs and other audio, poems, videos (videos will need to

be transcribed), pamphlets, brochures, etc.

Note: You will include your articles in your SBA so please ensure, if you choose digital

sources, that the entire source is typed out. URL’s are not accepted.

- Also, be sure to take the entire articles and not just a snippet.

- Finally, save the source information to create a work cited page at the end of the

portfolio.

Step 7: You will complete ‘Reflection’ 1

Reflection 1 is titled “How My Articles Have Influenced my Thoughts about My Topic”

This reflection should be completed in approximately 150 words. This means, since you have

three articles, you will reflect in three paragraphs of roughly 50 words each. Use the

following guide for each paragraph.

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Reflection 1

Paragraph 1

Sentence 1: State the first article’s title, type, and creator

__________________________________________________________________________
_ _________________________________________________________________________

Sentence 2: Describe what the article is about in ONE sentence.

__________________________________________________________________________
_ _________________________________________________________________________

Sentence 3-4: State how engaging with this specific article has influenced your ideas about
your specific topic.

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Reflection 1

Paragraph 2

Sentence 1: State the first article’s title, type, and creator

__________________________________________________________________________
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Sentence 2: Describe what the article is about in ONE sentence.

__________________________________________________________________________
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Sentence 3-4: State how engaging with this specific article has influenced your ideas about
your specific topic.

__________________________________________________________________________
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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Reflection 1

Paragraph 3

Sentence 1: State the first article’s title, type, and creator

___________________________________________________________________________
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Sentence 2: Describe what the article is about in ONE sentence.

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Sentence 3: State how engaging with this specific article has influenced your ideas about your
specific topic.

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Transfer the information from the previous boxes here as one reflection of 3 paragraphs.

Reflection 1: How My Articles have Influenced my Thoughts about My Topic

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 8: Complete “Reflection 2”

Reflection 2 should be titled, “Comments of the Use of Language.” It very different from

Reflection 1. Reflection 2 focuses on the use of language in your three articles.

Use the following guide to create each of three paragraphs commenting on the language use

in each article.

Reflection 2

Paragraph 1
(1) Identify the first article by title and type.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________________________
(2) What is the purpose of the article? (to persuade? to inform? to entertain?)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(3) What are some of the main language techniques used in the article? Try to identify 2
or more language techniques. Please provide proof of the language techniques
identified.
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(4) Were the techniques effective/useful in achieving the author’s purpose? Give reason
for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Reflection 2
S
Paragraph 2

(1) Identify the first article by title and type.

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(2) What is the purpose of the article? (to persuade? to inform? to entertain?)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(3) What are some of the main language techniques used in the article? Try to identify 2
or more language techniques. Please provide proof of the language techniques
 identified.
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________
(4) Were the techniques effective/useful in achieving the author’s purpose? Give reason
for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Reflection 2

Paragraph 3
(1) Identify the first article by title and type.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(2) What is the purpose of the article? (to persuade? to inform? to entertain?)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(3) What are some of the main language techniques used in the article? Try to identify 2
or more language techniques. Please provide proof of the language techniques
 identified.
____________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(4) Were the techniques effective/useful in achieving the author’s purpose? Give reason
for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Within approximately 150 words, put the responses from the preceding boxes here in an

essay three paragraphs

Reflection 2: Comment on Language Use

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 9: Redo the Individual Participation Measure.

Step 10: Complete the Written Report

The Written Report

This part of the SBA portfolio is a collaborative effort. This means that you will work

with your group members to complete the written report. When you are finished writing it, all

members of the group will have a copy of this report inserted into his or her SBA portfolio.

For this task, your group will meet to gather all the artefacts that you all have

collected and select the three most informative ones. So, if there are 4 persons in a group,

there will be a total of 12 artefacts. From these 12 artefacts, group members will select three,

one of which must be print. The written report is a collective effort and should focus on

explaining how these 3 pieces were selected and why they were selected. The report should

also include an analysis of the 3 pieces which should demonstrate how the pieces connect to

the theme. Finally, the report should state the outcomes of the research which is a report on

the new knowledge gained about the theme/the process/the group as members were involved

in the research.
 DO NOT FORGET

➢ The report, like the rest of the portfolio, must be typed using the following format:

▪ Font 12

▪ Times New Roman

▪ Double spaced

▪ 250-300 words

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

➢ The report should include in-text citation and a corresponding “Works Cited” page if

you are using MLA citation style or “References” page if you are using the APA

citation style

Use the following paragraph by paragraph guide to create an effective written report

Written Report Instructional Guide

PARAGRAPH 1
1) State the group theme/topic
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2) State each sub-topic investigated by the group members of the group. (This will
be 4 or five sub-topics)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3) State how the group was formed.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________
4) Describe the process of how you all chose your group theme/topic and explain
why it was chosen.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________
5) Tell how the sub-topics of each group member was selected.
______________________________________________________________________
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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

PARAGRAPH 2
1) Very briefly, tell how the members of the group go about searching for suitable
artefacts?
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______________________________________________________________________
2) Did the members of the group help each other to source artefacts?
i. If yes, state how this was done.
ii. If no, omit this response.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3) Describe the process that was used to choose the 3 group artefacts which
informs this report?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4) Give reason(s) for choosing each of the three(3) group artefacts.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

PARAGRAPH 3

1) State the title, type of article and creator of each group artefact.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________

2) Give one sentence which tells what this article is about. (This may be a single
sentence or three separate sentences).

________________________________________________________________________
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3) State what makes the articles suitable choices for this report.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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4) Comment on 3-4 language devices within the articles (discourse type, tone,
language register, figurative language, etc). Do not forget to use quotes from the
article to support the language device you have identified.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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NB: In paragraph 3, since you will be directly using information from the various articles,
you must use in-text citation in the MLA or APA citation style.

Basic Citation Guides can be found at the following links.

MLA - MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics // Purdue Writing Lab

APA - In-Text Citations: The Basics // Purdue Writing Lab

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

PARAGRAPH 4
1) State what new information you have discovered about your group theme?
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2) How effective were the articles in relation to your group theme? Give reason for
your answer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3) State any information you still interested in finding out about your group
theme?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4) State what you have learned about working in groups?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5) State how the language skills of group members have improved as a result of
doing this research.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
After completing the instructions within the paragraph-by-paragraph guide, copy the answers

in a document reflecting continuous prose. This means you should put it all together. If you

do it properly, you will have an essay of four paragraphs. Each paragraph, excepting the first

should begin with a transitional word or phrase. Transitional words/phrases are also needed

within paragraphs to connect ideas smoothly together. Please be very deliberate in using

appropriate transitions especially in paragraph 3.

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The Written Report

Write your full written report here.

English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 11: Create an Oral Presentation Plan

Oral Presentation Plan

Genre of presentation: Speech/skit/poem/role play____________
Title: ________________________
Justification (Reason) for chosen genre:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Source of Inspiration (why did you choose your topic):
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Literary inspiration (write the citation entries for the articles which inspires your oral
presentation):
Example

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Language to used: formal/informal or both______________

Sample of Presentation:
___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
NB: When re-typing this plan, delete all bracketed information.
Helpful Resource:
http://cxcenglishastudyhub.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-to-ace-csec-english-as-oral.html

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 12: Execute your oral presentation

Before you do your actual oral presentation, familiarize yourself with the rubric which I used
to grade your presentation.
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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 13: Complete ‘Reflection 3: How Doing this SBA has Benefitted Me as Student of

English’

This reflection requires that you consider the benefits you have gained as a result of
completing this SBA. Just as with reflections 1 and 2, you must adhere to a 150 words limit. I

suggest you complete this section in 2 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1: Focus on benefits to yourself as student of English.

Paragraph 2: Write down how doing this SBA has benefitted you on a personal level.

The lists below have ideas as to how you may have grown academically and personally. You

are to select 3 ideas from each list and explain in your reflection how these three aspects of

your academic or personal life have been improved.

NB: Be very specific with reference to your exact experience doing this SBA.

Peruse the list of possible academic benefits before writing paragraph 1.

Writing skills research skills

analytic skills
evaluation skills critical thinking skills oral language

communication skills
specific reading/comprehension skills

Reflection 3
Paragraph 1
Academic Benefits:

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Peruse the list of possible personal benefits before writing paragraph 2.

 Working with others/working in a
group
Self-discipline leadership reflection

time management

Reflection 3
Paragraph 2
Personal Benefits:

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__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
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______________

NB: Be advised that the lists od academic and personal benefits are only suggestions. If you
have identified academic or personal benefits of doing this SBA not listed here, feel free to
note them in your reflection.

Now, on the following page, place both paragraphs written here in a single reflective essay of
two paragraphs. Revise as needed.

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell
 Reflection 3: How Doing this SBA has Benefitted Me as Student of English
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 English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

Step 14: Insert a ‘Works Cited’ or ‘Reference’ which corresponds with the in-text

citations you used in REFLECTION 2 and the WRITTEN REPORT.

This is the last page of your portfolio.

Examine the following sample taken from: https://slideplayer.com/slide/8056967/

Now, use the links under ‘citation’ in the appendices of this document to create appropriate

citation entries for all works mentioned in this portfolio.

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 (1) Sample Cover Page

Appendix:
English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell

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English A SBA Student Guide | Pitta -Gay Powell
 (2) Useful links

SBA Portfolio Guide (Blog)

http://cxcenglishastudyhub.blogspot.com/
Ms. Powell English - YouTube

Citation (YouTube and Weblinks)

Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting: List of Works Cited - YouTube
Purdue OWL: APA Formatting: Reference List Basics - YouTube
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/
general_format.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/
in_text_citations_the_basics.html

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