Case Study
ATSG-AGS-TD SUBJECT: Adjutant General School (AGS) Senior Leaders Course (SLC) Written Communication Development Program
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Enclosure 3: Analytical Essay 1. Purpose: To assess the learner’s ability to evaluate leadership case studies using academic writing to communicate the application of lessons learned to future operations. 2. Additional References: a. ADP 6-0, Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces, pages 2-1 to 2-5. b. Perdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) website, APA writing style (7th Edition) c. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan - A Case Study of Adaptation in Battle. 3. Guidance and Requirements: a. Develop an analytical essay using the seven principles of mission command to appraise and compare the Operation Anaconda Case Study, March 2002. Use your time to develop a deep understanding of your topic to fully explain your analysis. b. Construct the essay IAW the American Psychological Association (APA) Writing Style (7th Edition). Your essay should include four major sections: a Title page, an Abstract which is an in depth introduction of your topic, Main Body consisting of 3 full pages and no more than 5 pages, and a Reference page with at least one additional source for the bibliography. c. Classroom time will be given to construct your essay on the day it is due. Due to the length and complexity of the essay, it is highly recommended not to rely solely on the in class time given. To be successful, start working on your essay in advance. d. Your essay should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font. e. Include a page header (also known as the "running head") at the top of every page. To create a page header/running head, insert page numbers flush right. Then type "TITLE OF YOUR PAPER" in the header flush left using all capital letters. The running head is a shortened version of your paper's title and cannot exceed 50 characters including spacing and punctuation. 4. Objective. The student may choose to focus the essay on one or more of the following objectives:
ATSG-AGS-TD SUBJECT: Adjutant General School (AGS) Senior Leaders Course (SLC) Written Communication Development Program
8
a. Objective 1: Assess the implications of Operation Anaconda for command structures for future joint expeditionary operations and tactical battles. b. Objective 2: Examine the challenge of generating accurate intelligence estimates of enemy forces, intentions, and capabilities for tactical battles. c. Objective 3: Analyze the implications of Operation Anaconda for the capacity of predetermined battle plans to forecast how events will actually unfold. d. Objective 4: Assess the roles that can be played by allied coalition forces in battles such as Anaconda. e. Objective 5: Discuss why the forging of adaptive plans, supported by effective forces, is important to preparing for battles such as Anaconda. f. Objective 6: Evaluate Anaconda’s lessons for dispersed operations with light infantry forces in the Information Age. g. Objective 7: Examine the role of SOF forces in modern battles such as Anaconda. Objective 8: Analyze the lessons of Anaconda for air-ground interaction and CAS efforts in battles. h. Objective 9: Assess Anaconda’s lessons for the role played by modern information networks in battles. i. Objective 10: Examine the lessons of Anaconda for creating adaptable forces during defense transformation
ATSG-AGS-TD SUBJECT: Adjutant General School (AGS) Senior Leaders Course (SLC) Written Communication Development Program
9
Enclosure 4: Analytical Essay Rubric
Student Assessment Faculty Assessment
Superior Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Focus (30 pts)
30 pts 21-30 pts 11-19 pts 1-10 pts 30 pts -Stays on topic and fully answers
question/or focused information. -Shows a clear awareness of task and/or audience
-Adequately stays on topic and sufficiently answers the question/information. -Shows adequate awareness of task / audience.
-Does not stay on topic in some areas/does not fully answer the question. -Shows minimal awareness of task/audience.
Content (30 pts) 25 pts 21-30 pts 11-19 pts 1-10 pts 25 pts
-Includes excellent relevant details. Fully explains details in own words and relates details back to original question. -Demonstrates a clear purpose for Writing.
-Includes a sufficient amount of details and adequately explains them in own words/relates them back to original idea or question. -Adequately demonstrates a purpose for writing.
-Includes some details, has limited explanation in own words/does not fully relate them back to the topic. -Does not adequately demonstrate a purpose for writing.
Organization (10 pts) 25 pts 21-30 pts 11-19 pts 1-10 pts 25 pts
-Has clear introduction and conclusion. -Uses transitional words and phrases. -Has a clear flow of ideas throughout writing
-Has an adequate introduction and conclusion. -Uses some transitional words or phrases. -Has an adequate flow of ideas throughout writing.
-Does not have a clear introduction/conclusion. Uses few transitional words or phrases. -Has some flow of ideas in some parts of the writing.
Conventions (10 pts) 10 pts 8-10 pts 4-7 pts 1-3 pts 10 pts
-Has zero to a minimal (4-5) amount of grammatical, spelling, punctuation and sentence formation errors. -Writes in active voice.
-Has some (5-9) grammatical, spelling, punctuation and sentence formation errors. -Mostly writes in active voice.
-Has a moderate (10 or more) grammatical, spelling, punctuation and sentence formation errors. -Mostly writes in passive
Style (10 pts) 10 pts 8-10 pts 4-7 pts 1-3 pts 10 pts
-Uses language and diction (formal or informal).
-Uses appropriate diction (formal or informal context).
-Inadequate use of appropriate diction.
APA Format (5 pts) 5 pts 5-4 pts 3-2 pts 1-0 pts 5 pts
No errors in APA style. Possesses a scholarly style.
No more than three errors in APA style that do not detract from the paper
Errors in APA style detract substantially from the paper.
References (5 pts) 5 pts 3-5 pts 1-2 pts 0 pts 5 pts
Two or more references. One Reference. No reference.