Mastering the Art of Teaching Timed Writing: The Case of t he Backyard Mystery Portfolio It is the first volume of the Mastering the Art of Literacy Series by Dr. Meg G. DeMakas. It is devised in the format of an informal interest inventory. It incorporates the use of the writing portfolio, the writers' workshop, mentor books, and test prep for formal writing assessments. Other parts of the portfolio is the Author's Chair, self and peer editing, the generic writing assessment, and the follow up