Description
This document describes your first individual submission and identifies what will help us grade your writing more effectively. For your individual submission you will complete three writing tasks:
Write 3-4 paragraphs of context (approximately 150-250 words) to help a non-technical person (your writing consultant) understand your segment submission.
Draft your segment submission (approximately 100-250 words) as it will appear in your group submission document.
Write captions to accompany your tables/graphs/drawings. Each caption should be 2-3 sentences (approximately 50-100 words).
*Your draft will most likely range from 350-700 words (approximately 2-4 pages).
How to structure your individual submission:
Introduce yourself with your name and major. Provide the names of your other group members. Give the name of the project you and your team are doing together. In your opening paragraphs, provide the context (as referenced above).
In your paragraphs, write your assigned segment of the team project.
Use at least two graphics or tables (hand-drawn is acceptable for this assignment only) to aid in explaining your project. Add captions for each visual aid. Captions should be 2-3 sentences.
Tips on writing style, structure, and format:
Use the newspaper column approach, putting more important information before less important information.
The paragraphs in your submission must have transitions that connect the ideas and intended information in a logical and coherent way.
Single-space your text and use a size 12 font, either Times New Roman or Cambria.
Use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Your sentences must contain clear language and phrasing. They must not be difficult to follow due to excessive length or scope.
If you use acronyms, be sure to define them for your non-technical readers. Here is an example: Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
Paragraphs must begin with a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph. Paragraphs must be structured so they support the topic sentence.
Use landscape mode when appropriate, as taught in the lecture. Your audience should have the ability to zoom in to read the captions.
Figures such as block diagrams, flow charts, state diagrams, and mechanical sketches must add value by making the document clearer and shorter.
Figures should be effectively referenced in the accompanying text. Avoid presenting “walls of text,” as Professor Dorr outlines in his lecture.
Figures must include captions that summarize the figure’s information so that the reader knows what they are looking at.
Figures, captions, and references must use automatic referencing tools from MS Word or a similar program.
All material in your report should be original and written by you, not copy and pasted from another source or generated from ChatGPT.
Revised Rubric
Individual Submission—GWAR
Criteria
Points
Following Directions
Submission must include all required parts of the prompt. Writer must answer what is asked. Submission must meet word count length requirements. Submission should be written for non-technical readers (writing consultants).
0-25
Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Sentence Structure
Submission must use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Sentences must use clear language and phrasing. All technical terms (such as acronyms) must be defined with a non-technical audience in mind. Sentences must not be difficult to follow due to excessive length or scope. Writing should be original and composed by the individual student submitting the document.
0-25
Organization and Cohesion
Paragraphs must begin with a topic sentence that introduces the remainder of the paragraph. Paragraphs must be structured so they support the topic sentence. Paragraphs must be connected to provide the intended information in a logical and coherent way. The “Newspaper Column” approach, as taught in class, must be used. Students may use subject headings to organize their document to make it clear for the reader. Students may also use metadiscourse (language about language) to guide the reader (example: In this document I will be describing the functionality…).
0-25
Figures, Captions, and References, and Format
Figures (such as block diagrams, flow charts, state diagrams, and mechanical sketches) should add value to the description. They must support the document by making it clearer and shorter. Figures must be used to avoid “walls of text,” as taught in lecture. Figures must be numbered and include 2-3 sentences of captions that summarize the information contained in them. Figures must be effectively referenced in the accompanying text. Figures, captions, and references must use automatic referencing tools from MS Word or a similar program. Text within sections should be single-spaced, size 12, Times New Roman or Cambria.
0-25
Total Points: 100
Rubric
Individual Submission — GWAR
Individual Submission — GWAR
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFollowing DirectionsSubmission must include all required parts of the prompt. Writer must answer what is asked. Submission must meet word count length requirements. The submission will be graded by the writing consultants.
25 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Sentence StructureSubmission must use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Sentences must use clear language and phrasing. Technical terms (such as acronyms) should be defined. Sentences must not be difficult to follow due to excessive length or scope. Writing should be original and composed by the individual student submitting the document.
25 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and CohesionParagraphs must begin with a topic sentence that introduces the remainder of the paragraph. Paragraphs must be structured so they support the topic sentence. Paragraphs must be connected to provide the intended information in a logical and coherent way. The “Newspaper Column” approach, as taught in class, must be used. Students may use subject headings to organize their document to make it clear for the reader. Students may also use metadiscourse (language about language) to guide the reader (example: In this document I will be describing the functionality…).
25 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFigures, Captions, References, and FormatFigures (such as block diagrams, flow charts, state diagrams, and mechanical sketches) should add value to the description. They must support the document by making it clearer and shorter. Figures must be used to avoid “walls of text,” as taught in lecture. Figures must be numbered and include 2-3 sentences of captions that summarize the information contained in them. Figures must be effectively referenced in the accompanying text. Figures, captions, and references must use automatic referencing tools from MS Word or a similar program. Text within sections should be single-spaced, size 12, Times New Roman or Cambria.
25 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
25 pts
Total Points: 100
