English 303 Rubric. Rubric Overview. Writing Corrections Instructions. Accessibility Errors

Transcription

1 Rubric Overview Recall that an "A" paper is excellent. It is difficult to improve. It is submitted on time and demonstrates insight, originality, and attention to detail. It adheres to American English grammar and usage. It follows the assignment s formatting requirements exactly. The information is presented ethically, comprehensively, and clearly in an easy and persuasive manner. Points are taken off until 50 percent of the total grade is reached unless the memo or paper meets the criteria for zero points (see the last section of this rubric for more information). Each minor error costs one percent of the total grade; however, one minor error per page is allowed without penalty. Each major error costs four percent; no major errors are allowed or ignored. Thus, for a 50-point memo, each minor error costs a half point and each major error costs two points. For a 300-point white paper, each minor error costs three points and each major error costs twelve points. Some errors fit into two categories and thus will count off twice; usually, these are grammar errors that affect clarity. Some errors are so serious that they can fail an assignment on their own. These are listed at the end of this rubric. Writing Corrections Instructions To improve your writing, you must learn to fix the mistakes you are making so that you will not continue to commit the same errors. The codes I wrote on your assignment correspond to the error explanations below. They are not full explanations; those you can find in the Style Guide or in Merchant s English Usage Guide for Technical Writers linked on Moodle. Both have extensive indexes to help you find the explanations; I tried to use the same wording in the rubric. Any paragraph or section that has errors will have the errors indicated by the codes below; you will need to review the paragraph to find and correct the errors for a few additional points (30 points for the definition memo, 5 points each for the rest). Because of time constraints at the end of the quarter and because the white paper is essentially a final exam, writing corrections only applies to the memo of intent, definition, progress report, and the two graphics assignments (which are both written as memos) no others. Complete instructions, including how to format the writing corrections sheet, are in the writing corrections instructions posted on Moodle as well as my Wordpress site. Accessibility Errors All information need to be in the appropriate section, organized logically; the document needs to be easy to navigate, making information quick to find by skimming or scanning readers. ACC 1. Major Errors A. Heading Level Errors A heading level is inconsistently formatted, confusing the hierarchical structure (for example, a level-1 heading formatted as a level 1 in some parts of the document and formatted as a level 2 in other parts). Each heading level is graded separately, so this can compound quickly.

2 Merchant page 2 A required heading for a level is missing. B. Illustration/visual not numbered C. Memo line incorrect (Memo of Intent for an Extended Definition memo, for example). D. Page Numbers/Numbering Errors All page numbers are not numbered as required (including different pagination schemes for the front matter and body of a white paper or technical report). All page numbers are missing from a memo or all page numbers are missing from a white paper s front matter. Note: A white paper missing all page numbers from the body or all page numbers are the same number will earn a failing grade. E. Ordering of Information Glossary not listed alphabetically. Information is not in the appropriate section of the memo, paper, or report. List information not organized logically. References not listed alphabetically. Table rows or columns not organized logically. List of Illustrations/Figures/Tables are not in the order they appear in the report. F. Table of Contents/Illustrations/Figures/Tables Errors List of illustrations/figures/tables does not match up with the document. List of illustrations/figures/tables missing. Table of contents does not match up with the document. Table of contents missing. ACC 2. Minor Errors A. Individual Page Number Errors A page number is missing (some or most pages are numbered); each missing number is one error up to 3 times; after that, it is a major error. A page number is incorrect (wrong page number; some or most pages are numbered correctly); each incorrect number is one error. B. Ordering of Information Most items in a list (glossary, list, references, etc.) are organized logically with less than four items in that list not in order (for example, most references are in alphabetical order but two are not); each item not in order counts as a minor error. After three, the error becomes a major error. Each list is treated separately. Clarity Errors Writing needs to flows smoothly and logically between ideas. The writer s meaning must be clear. CLA 1. Major Errors A. Color use in visuals (using color as your only indicator of emphasis or importance). B. Confused or contradictory language. I have read the passage three times and I still do not understand what you are trying to say. C. A crucial transition is missing. D. Illustration/visual errors (note: not indicating source of a visual can fail a paper by itself) Important features not noted.

3 Merchant page 3 Not captioned (titled). Not clear (confusing or difficult to read). Not integrated, including not introduced first. E. Vague Phrases Errors: And/or. Unsupported statements. F. Vague pronoun reference where it is impossible to tell by context what the pronoun s antecedent is (also counts as a major Correctness: Grammar and Punctuation error). G. Paragraphs are not organized in a smooth, logical manner in a page. CLA 2. Minor Errors A. A cliché or cultural, religious, or sports analogy is used (unless pertinent to your topic). B. Language is not clear enough to be understood with one reading. I had to read the passage twice to understand what you are trying to say. C. A quotation is floating or standalone. D. Sentence is awkward- could be written more clearly or to be read more easily. E. Unexplained terminology. F. Unnecessary archaic language (archaic word or using an archaic definition of a word), jargon, or slang. G. Unsure language ( I believe, may, etc.) used to support your thesis; such language makes you sound like you are not sure of what you are saying and robs your writing of its power. Such words lead to wishy-washy writing. Clearly support your arguments and clearly support your recommendation. But do not talk down to your audience. H. Two paragraphs need a transition to make your points easy to follow. I. Weak or missing topic sentence. J. Sentences not organized in a smooth, logical manner in a paragraph. Comprehensiveness Errors The writer must have a thorough understanding of audience, purpose, and context: everything (and no more) that the readers need must be present. Leaving out a required section can automatically fail a paper; exceptions (some are just major errors) are noted below. COM 1. Major Errors A. Executive summary too short; it leaves out information required by your audience (white paper or technical report). B. Memo heading segment or paper title page are directed to the wrong audience, or (for memos) use the wrong CC: or Through: (using CC: instead of Through: for example). C. Memo or paper could use more useful visuals. D. Memo or paper shows a lack of understanding of audience, purpose, or context. For example, you may need to fil in the necessary background so that someone who does not know the issue at hand will still be able to understand. Do not talk down to your audience, but be sure to provide the necessary details so that reasonably educated people are not confused. E. Missing contact information in instructions or memo or contact information is incorrect. F. Missing glossary.

4 Merchant page 4 G. Required visual is missing (each missing visual counts as a major error) H. Weak analysis, justification, or support for the recommendation. You are not thinking deeply enough; your writing relies too much on reporting your research material instead of a thoughtful analysis of those materials. You either just repeated an earlier point (or points) you made, given strong/off-topic analysis that does not really connect to your thesis (topic), or you gave shallow analysis (equivalent to a Wikipedia article). COM 2. Minor Errors A. Abstract too long (white paper or technical report), containing either too much filler/fluff or information your expert audience does not need. B. Keywords missing (abstract in a white paper or technical report). C. Purpose statement missing (memo). D. Sentence needs more information: may leave reader with an unanswered question that should be answered in that sentence (sometimes you can raise a question that then takes time to answer, that is OK); for example while both are useful, I researched only one. (The writer then moves on to another topic without ever saying which one they researched and the reader now wonders, which one?) E. A visual is added only for decoration or adds unneeded information. Conciseness Errors Writing needs to be tight, concise. Paragraphs mostly should not exceed six lines. Remember that in technical writing you need to have your paragraphs tightly focused. CON 1. Major Errors A. An average of two long paragraphs (more than six sentences) per page is acceptable each long paragraph over that average is a major error. That is, if your document is three pages long, you can have six long paragraphs before points are deducted. B. An average of two unnecessary complex sentences per page is acceptable each complex sentence over that average is a major error (each counts off three points). CON 2. Minor Errors A. A doubled word or redundant acronym. B. Expletive at the beginning of a sentence. C. In order that or in order to phrase. D. No more than an average of two long paragraphs (more than six sentences) per page. E. Of (to) the fact phrase. F. Other wordy expression or sentence (not covered by any of the other errors listed here). G. Unnecessary modifier (overused or redundant). H. Unnecessary relative clause. I. Use of fancy diction (see Merchant s English Usage Guide for Technical Writing for more information). J. Wordy phrase when a simpler word will do just as well. K. Wordy indefinite quantifier phrase.

5 Merchant page 5 Correctness: Grammar and Punctuation Errors Technical writing requires effective syntax and grammar, demonstrating a mastery of writing conventions. COR-G 1. Major Errors Major errors are costly so use spell check, go to the Writing Center, have someone help you with peer editing on a regular basis (a peer-editing buddy), and use writing aids listed on my WordPress site (davidmmerchant.com/writing-help/) including the English Usage Guide (davidmmerchant.com/merchants-english-usage-guide-for-technical-writers/). A. Abbreviation, Acronym, Initialism, and Contraction Errors Abbreviation, acronym, or initialism is not clearly spelled out or defined; they are overused (use only if the reader is familiar with the abbreviation and that you are using it more than once in a short document or more than two times in a long document). Contraction (do not use contractions unless quoted material has them). Social media abbreviation or symbol use. B. Absolute or Hyperbole Error C. Article use (missing). Too many article errors can fail a memo or paper. D. Comma Error Comma needed after an introductory clause, phrase, or word. Comma needed before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence (except for while which is a minor comma error). Comma-splice. A serial comma is missing where required. E. Faulty Modifiers (webapps.towson.edu/ows/moduledangling.htm) Dangling modifier. Misplaced adjective. Misplaced adverb. Misplaced clause or phrase. Misplaced modifier. F. Grammar Errors Other A confusing double negative An incorrect phrase (for example, I could care less or one in the same ). An incorrect preposition, one that changes the meaning of the sentence. An incorrect verb tense. Subject-verb agreement error. A word is missing from the sentence. G. Major Sentence-Level Errors Fragment. Run-on or fused. H. Number/Numbering Errors Billion or trillion. Date.

6 Merchant page 6 Format. Punctuation. Range. Spelling out. I. Pronoun Errors Pronoun-antecedent agreement. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in gender, person, and number. Most of these errors are fixed by turning the antecedent into a plural form to match a plural pronoun. Pronoun case (subject, object, possessive). Pronoun shift. Vague pronoun reference) where it is impossible to tell by context what the pronoun s antecedent is (also counts as a major Clarity error). J. Punctuation Errors Apostrophe Plural. Possessive. K. Punctuation Errors Other COR-G 2. Minor Errors Minor errors can add up quickly, so you still need to be careful and limit how many you make. Use the advice given above for avoiding major errors to lessen how many minor errors you have. A. Abbreviation, Acronym, or Initialism Errors Abbreviated form is used only once even though it is also spelled out. Do not use the abbreviated form if used only once; spell it out. However, if your audience is more familiar with the abbreviated form, you can spell out the term as well as give the abbreviated form. For example, a paper written for a space industry will be familiar with the initialism NASA. In that case, the initialism can be used. Abbreviated form used in a paper title unless the audience is familiar with the abbreviated form. Etc. overuse. Latin abbreviation (e.g., i.e., or NB). [sic] not enclosed in brackets or sic not italicized. Punctuation. B. Article use (incorrect use). Too many article errors can fail a memo or paper. C. Grammar Errors Other Adjective agreement error (for example, this containers ). Anthropomorphizing machinery. Double negatives. For example, while not unnecessary is not confusing, it does take more effort to read than necessary. Ending a sentence with a to be verb. (You should try to avoid ending a sentence with to be verbs as this creates a too-casual tone for formal writing.) Numbers (spelling out, not spelling out, etc.) Parallelism. Passive voice. (Not all passive voice constructions are wrong; see Merchant s English Usage Guide for Technical Writers for more information.) Plural issues not created by apostrophe error (for example: type of switches

7 Merchant page 7 should be types of switches. Split Infinitive: too many words between to and the verb. Subjunctive Mood. Tense shift. Needless verb tense shifting confuses your reader and is an unpleasant distraction. Verb errors not covered by any of the above. D. List Errors List items syntactically part of a sentence punctuation error. Ordered list with no introductory explanatory text (explaining the order). Punctuation error with text introducing a list. E. Preposition Errors (not the correct preposition; however, while awkward, distracting, or odd choice, does not change the meaning of the sentence). F. Pronoun Errors Either or neither. Incorrect use of you. Overuse of I. Overuse of it or this (sentence could be rewritten to eliminate the pronoun). Reflexive pronoun. Vague pronoun reference where the reader has to keep in mind context to figure out what the pronoun s antecedent is (also counts as a minor Clarity error). G. Punctuation Errors Commas (commas in lists addressed by list errors) Comma needed before a quote (if appropriate). Comma needed between coordinate adjectives. Comma needed for clarity. For example, Ever since, Frank has been a better person versus Ever since Frank has been a better person (sentence fragment). If I have to read a sentence twice to understand it (like the last one in the example) that will add a minor Clarity error to this punctuation error for a total of two minor error points being deducted. Comma needed to set off a non-restrictive element. Comma not correctly used with while. Comma not needed for a compound predicate. Comma separating the subject from its verb. Comma used for convention (address, date, direct address, or place name; misuse with numbers other than dates and addresses is considered a major error). Commas needed between items in a series of three or more instead of using and or or repeatedly. H. Punctuation Errors Other Brackets or parentheses. Capitalization. Colon. Dash or hyphen. Ellipsis. Italicization or underlining (including in a reference item). Period missing from the last sentence in a paragraph (missing within a paragraph

8 Merchant page 8 counts as a run-on a major error). Punctuation in equation or formula. Semicolon. Slash misuse or overuse. Spacing after a period. Unnecessary punctuation (for example, commas in inline lists of only two items, punctuation after single words or clauses in a list that is not part of a sentence). I. Quotation/Quote Mark Errors Misplaced punctuation: comma or period not tucked inside quote. For example, a period before the opening parenthesis of an inline citation located at the end of a sentence instead of after the closing parenthesis. Quotation marks. (Single quote and double quotes mixed incorrectly either for a quote or when nested or the opening or closing quotation mark is missing from a quote, but both not are missing. If both marks in a set are missing, that is a major error and can fail a paper on its own.) J. Symbol Errors Copyright or trademark symbol. Percent symbol. Correctness: Spelling Errors Writing needs to consistently follow the Style Guide for using abbreviations, acronyms, contractions, and initialisms. Be aware that each instance of a spelling error is counted: a word that is used several times and is misspelled only once or twice in a paper is less of an error than a word that is used several times and is misspelled every time. Partly this is because of professional appearance: writing with multiple errors has a lower ethos. Misspellings and wrong word choices also increase chances of misreading, especially by those whose first language is not English; misspellings and wrong word choices also increase the price of properly translating a document. COR-S 1. Major Errors A. Misspelled words or abbreviations (including acronyms and initialisms). B. Misused possessive pronouns. C. Nonexistent words (words that are not accepted as official by major dictionaries; for example, alot and conversate are not proper words). D. Wrong word choices (including coordinating conjunctions, compound word errors [that changes the meaning of the sentence], prepositions, sexist language, sound-alikes, and transitions). An example of a major compound word error is back up (a verb) used instead of backup (a noun) or vice versa. COR-S 2. Minor Errors A. British spelling of a word. B. Compound word error that does not change the meaning of the sentence: two words should be a compound or a compound should be two words: space flight instead of the correct spaceflight or lifeform instead of the correct life form (yes, bands, songs, and Wikipedia use the incorrect lifeform. However, life form is the official spelling.

9 Merchant page 9 Potentially, another minor error is a word not using its first definition (first definition listed in a standard dictionary) but is otherwise properly used. However, for this course, I will ignore this error unless you are using the archaic definition of a word. Format/Professional Appearance Errors Writing must consistently follow required format including graphs, figures, headings, references, text, and tables. Technical writing is professional writing and needs to look that way. FOR 1. Major Errors A. Cover/Title Page Errors Elements are not placed on the page correctly. Pagination is visible. B. Heading Level Errors Heading levels are formatted incorrectly (color, font size, spacing, or typeface) and inconsistently applied (for example, a level-1 heading is sometimes in Tech Blue and sometimes black). This is in addition to the Accessibility error that this inconsistency creates; thus, you will lose points for Format and for Accessibility. Heading levels are the wrong types (level 1 formatted as a level 2, for example) and inconsistently applied. This is in addition to the Accessibility error that this inconsistency creates; thus, you will lose points for Format and for Accessibility. Heading levels are the wrong type but consistently applied (so that document hierarchy is still preserved, thus, no additional Accessibility penalty). Heading placements are wrong and inconsistently applied (this is in addition to the Accessibility error that this inconsistency creates; thus, you will lose points for Format and for Accessibility). C. Illustration/Visual Errors A table header row does not have the correct background color or text color. A table that has to split across two pages (resizing text does not help keep it from splitting across two pages) does not have the table header row repeated. A visual splits across at two pages when cropping, resizing (as long as clarity is not lost), or, for tables, changing the font size to 11 or 10 (no less than 10) could allow the visual to not split across two pages. It is better to have a few lines of white space at the bottom of a page than to have a visual split. D. Letterhead missing on memos E. List Errors (other than heading level errors) Lists indents are incorrectly and inconsistently formatted. Nested lists not formatted correctly (with errors being inconsistently applied). F. Page Header Errors Memo page headers are missing the date. Memo page headers are missing the To: line. Missing page numbers is a major accessibility error. Section break not used for a section. Each section where a section break is not used counts as a major error for a maximum of three times.

10 Merchant page 10 Page headers are not in the document header. White paper or technical report page headers are missing the report title. White paper or technical report page headers are missing the section title. G. Page Margins Not 1 Inch for Entire Document H. PDF file instead of Word file (as syllabus states, you must submit as a Word document). I. Spacing between lines change (inconsistent); for example, one paragraph can be singlespaced, and another paragraph the line spacing is J. Table of Contents/List of Illustration Errors Some or all lines missing ellipses. The spacing between most or all items in a glossary, list of illustrations, list of symbols, references, or table of contents wrong. Subheading listings not italicized (if some are and others are not, this inconsistency makes this a major error). K. Text Alignment Errors Text not aligned left, right, or centered as appropriate. For example, memo page heading is right-aligned instead of left-aligned. Vertical alignment of text error (off by more than two spaces). This includes a table of contents or a list of illustrations having sloppy alignments of text or page numbers. L. Text Font Errors Font choice is not one of the approved choices (Arial, Courier, Times New Roman). Font style (bold, italics, underlined, etc.) is incorrectly used for body text (includes captions, footnotes, and tables). Font size for body text is smaller than 10 or larger than 12 (includes captions, footnotes, and tables). If the size is much smaller or much larger, this can fail a paper. FOR 2. Minor Errors A. Glossary Errors Body text boldfaced instead of normal. Entries not formatted with hanging indents. Entry term not boldfaced. B. Heading Level Errors Heading levels are formatted incorrectly (color, font size, spacing, or typeface) but consistently applied (for example, all level-1 headings are in black and not in Tech Blue). Heading titles are not parallel in phrasing (see Style Guide). Headings back-to-back (with no intervening text). Headings bumped or orphaned (heading at bottom of a page) C. Illustration/Visual Errors Visual s placement is not centered or one per line. Visual s caption format is not correct. Visual s caption placement is not correct. D. Letterhead not in top margin (page header).

11 Merchant page 11 E. List Errors List indents incorrectly but consistently formatted. List only has one item. List bullet choice not as required by the Style Guide. List numbering choice for an inline, nested, or vertical list not as required by the Style Guide. List alignment or spacing between list items error. F. Other type style error: Body text not in black or web address is hyperlinked (blue text or underlined) Missing required font style (boldfaced or italicized), or wrong font style (all upper case, boldfaced, italicized, underlined). G. Page Header Errors The blank line between page header and body text is missing or incorrect size. The dash between section title and page number is incorrect or missing in white paper or technical report page headers. Pound sign (#) or other unapproved page numbering style). H. Page Margin Not 1 Inch on One Page (counts off for each page for a maximum of three pages, unless the document is three pages or less and every page has the wrong margin the entire document having the wrong page margin counts a major error even if the document is only two or three pages long). I. Reference Format Errors (MLA). J. Table of Contents/List of Illustration Errors The List of Illustrations has the list of tables before the list of figures. Subheading listings not italicized (if some are and others are not, this inconsistency makes this a major error). K. Text Alignment Errors A paragraph is indented. Each instance counts as an error up to three instances after which this becomes a major error. Spacing after a heading or paragraph not correct (too little or too much). Each instance counts as an error up to three times after which this becomes a major error. Spacing before heading, the first word in a paragraph, or between words off by 1 or 2 spaces (no space between words becomes a spelling error). The spacing between two items in a glossary, list of illustrations, list of symbols, references, or table of contents is wrong. Each instance counts as an error up to three instances after which this becomes a major error. The text is justified (aligned to both left and right margins). L. Titles (figure, page, paper, section, or table) not in proper title case (see Style Guide). Automatic Failing Grade Any of the following automatically fails your memo or paper. AUT-F. Automatic Fail Errors

12 Merchant page 12 A. Writing is not honest: as your textbook teaches, dishonest technical writing can open the writers and their organization to legal charges. Intentional plagiarism will earn a zero grade. Unintentional plagiarism (missing citations for material that is otherwise clearly quoted [in quote marks, for example]) or including visuals that are not your own but forgetting to cite them fails a paper. B. Writing is not accurate: as your textbook teaches, one wrong fact can confuse readers and can be dangerous. C. All page numbers are missing from a white paper s body. D. All illustrations in a short memo and most or all illustrations in a white paper are fuzzy or otherwise difficult to read can fail a paper. If a memo has one or two illustrations and one is difficult to read, it can lower the grade to a D. E. Paper is incomplete (missing a required section). F. Paper has so many clarity, formatting, grammar, or spelling errors it is burdensome to read or has a low-quality appearance (no longer professional). Automatic Zero Grade Any of the following automatically earns a zero grade for your memo or paper. AUT-0. Automatic Zero Grade Errors A. The assignment is not submitted or submitted after three days. B. Writing is not on an assigned topic. C. Writing is mostly plagiarized (earn a zero grade). A second occurrence fails the course and earns a referral to the Honor Council.