ESTEP 1

Natasha Estep
Professor Deadrick
English 102
April 28, 2016
Visual Argument
An E-portfolio is an electronic portfolio generally used to storage information about
oneself. The information stored on E-portfolio is typically seen by employers; the information
includes resumes, personal attributes, work experience, education, activities and special honors.
A visual argument is defined as a graphic representation of a written argument (Writing and
Researching Arguments 253). Visual arguments are used to persuade a certain point of view,
commonly shown through images and interactions. The reasons an e-portfolio is effective is
divided into three categorizes: exaggeration (to create a great impressions), utilizing rhetorical
strategies, and convincing employers.
E-portfolios are a very effective visual argument. They help impress employers in many
ways. For example, Amalia states in her e-portfolio, I plan to pursue a career in playwriting and
Arts management. I have constantly been told to always follow my dreams and have a backup
plan. That is exactly what I am doing right now, following my dreams but making sure I can also
be financially stable (Rojas). Employers will be impressed as she takes initiative and follows
her dream. A common way to impress employers is to exaggerate. Exaggeration is defined as
magnify beyond the limits of truth; overstate; represent disproportionately (Dictionary). Job
seekers tend to exaggerate on E-portfolios to stand out and make themselves look impressive.
They do this by making certain things seem bigger and better than they actually are. By standing
out from others, this increases the chances of getting the job. Using exaggeration on an E-

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portfolio has its perks and down falls. In David Castillos E-portfolio, he expresses during my
years in elementary school, science have always been my favorite class. I looked forward to
every kind of science projects and experiments our teacher handed out to do (Castillo). David
might have found his love for science at a year age but he exaggerated by informing the audience
that looked forward to every type of science work he was given. Most students enjoy projects
and experiments more than handouts and work sheets but students for sure do not look forward
to doing those assignments every time. A significant downfall would be over exaggerating.
This often turns the truth into a lie. Over exaggerating comes with consequences if ones-self
becomes caught in a lie. This could result in bad recommendations, no references,
unemployment, termination, distrust and embarrassment. If exaggeration is used correctly, it will
make visual arguments effective, by persuading employers that ones-self is the best candidate
for the job. Exaggeration is an effective visual argument in E-portfolio because it will most likely
make the applicant become noticed.
Applicants typically utilize rhetorical strategies for their E-portfolio. The rhetorical
strategies often used are ethos and pathos. Ethos builds creditability. To build creditability,
applicants usually include references. This will help prove the information given on their Eportfolio is truthful. Pathos is a great way to appeal to the employers emotions. For example,
Amalia Rojas expresses in her E-portfolio, I like to think of myself as a spontaneous, bubbly,
warm person. I believe a smile can change someones day. By using words such as spontaneous
and bubbly, this makes Amalia seem generally happy. This could give employers an amazing
vibe about Amalia. Amalia later goes on by saying, I care very much about my education
therefore I am always striving to achieve all I can. This summer I will be attending a summer
student transfer program with Vassar College, it is an elite and very prestigious school. I was

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chosen along with another small group of students from other community colleges to complete a
semester at Vassar (Rojas). Opportunities like this impress employers. This could give
employers the feeling as if the applicant is the one for the job. Therefore, utilizing rhetorical
strategies is very effective.
E-portfolio is good for convincing employers that oneself is the best candidate for the
job. We could convince employers by selling ourselves and pretending to know the material.
Applicants often do not know necessary information for certain jobs so they pretend as a way to
secure the job position. People frequently sell themselves by going into elaborate detail of
previous job experience. For example, Amalia goes into specific detail of her job at the Latino
International Theater Festival in New York. Amalia than begins to list the work she did at the
festival in New York, evaluate newly submitted plays, introduce stage shows and speakers,
hosting showed, ushering, front of house, check in, direct marketing to targeted audiences,
agenda holder, and social media correspondent (Rojas). Going into detail will break down each
and every aspect of her job. Employers tend to look for much detail when applicants are
explaining previous jobs. This lets them know if there is any similarity between jobs. Amalia
later goes on to list her skills, excellent leadership and organizational skills. Fluent in English
and Spanish, proficient with computer literate such as Microsoft word, artistic sense and
knowledge of the world of art, able to pass on the responsibilities and able to follow up the
effective instructions to conform task completion, excellent communication and writing skills
and able to work independently and under pressure (Rojas). Listing skills appeal to the
employer by convincing and persuade them to pick oneself. This makes an E-portfolio an
effective visual argument because it gives the applicant a chance to convince the employer that
there is no one else better for the position than them.

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By using strategies such as exaggeration (to create a great impressions), utilizing
rhetorical strategies, and convincing employers, it will make E-portfolio an effective visual
argument. Reason one is exaggerating helps impress employers. This will increase the chances to
get the job. Reason two is appeal to the employers emotions so they feel sentimental about the
previous volunteer work. Reason three is persuade employers that oneself is the best candidate
for the job. This will impress the employers. An E-portfolio is a great tool to utilize if oneself is
on a job hunt.