TRADITIONAL TERM PAPER GRADING SHEET: EVALUATION CRITERIA

 

PART 1: DISCUSSION OF PHYSICAL CONCEPTS AND PHYSICAL

PRINCIPLES

   <>       The paper is extensive in its discussions of physical issues involved in the object.

   <>       The paper frequently discusses physical issues involved in the object.

   <>       The paper discusses physical issues involved in the object.

   <>       The paper occasionally discusses physical issues involved in the object.

   <>       The paper rarely discusses physical issues involved in the object.

   <>       The paper never discusses physical issues involved in the object.

 

PART 2: PARTICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAPER

   <>       Well structured so that the reader has a good sense of where the paper is heading.

   <>       Well written so that the paper is pleasant to read.

   <>       Nicely packaged, enhancing the content without wasting words.

   <>       Well thought out so that it appears complete and thorough.

   <>       Degree-of-difficulty: your topic was especially difficult and your grade has been raised

      accordingly

 

PART 3: FLAWS IN THE PAPER

   <>       Too much description (a small amount is fine).

   <>       Too much historical perspective (a small amount is fine).

   <>       Too much packaging (packaging is the condiment, not the meal).

   <>       Too little attention to physics and physical issues of how the object works.

   <>       Mistakes in the application or understanding of physical principles.

   <>       Vague in the application of physical principles to the object.

   <>       Too short (content substantially less than 5 pages).

   <>       Too long (paper, excluding figures, substantially more than 5 pages).

   <>       Mistakes in grammar and/or spelling significantly detract from the paper.

   <>       Poorly written, making it difficult to read.

   <>       The paper fails to give the reader a clear overall picture of what is being discussed.

   <>       The paper has little or no structure and rambles.

 

PART 4: THE GRADE (Before deductions for lateness)

   <>       A+ (93.3) An extensive, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the physical

      principles that make the object work, nicely packaged in an unusually readable paper.

   <>       A (90) A good, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the physical principles

      that make the object work. Well structured and with very few flaws.

   <>       A– (86.7) A good, accurate, and fairly thorough explanation of the physical principles

      that make the object work. Well structured and with few flaws.

   <>       B+ (83.3) An accurate explanation of most of the physical principles that make the

      object work. Only minor flaws.

   <>       B (80) A fairly accurate explanation of many of the physical principles that make the

      object work. Only minor flaws.

   <>       B–(76.7) A fairly accurate explanation of some of the physical principles that make

      the object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.

   <>       C+ (73.3) An adequate explanation of a few of the physical principles that make the

      object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.

   <>       C (70) The paper largely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the

      object work and includes some significant flaws in any such attempts.

   <>       C– (66.7) A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make

      the object work and is significantly flawed in general.

   <>       D (60) A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make

      the object work and is extensively flawed in general.