500 words 20 hrs

Name:

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o rm

a t No deviations from the formatting guidelines

in the syllabus. One deviation from the formatting guidelines in the syllabus.

Marked deviations from the formatting guidelines in the syllabus.

The formatting guidelines from the syllabus appear to have been ignored.

A B C D

C o

n te

n t

Concerns an appropriate topic. Correctly identifies and illustrates 3-4 signs of pseudoscience. Addresses all signs listed in class or in the textbook. It is clear that concepts are used correctly.

Concerns an appropriate topic. Correctly identifies and illustrates 2-3 signs of pseudoscience. Addresses most signs listed in class or in the textbook. May contain one slight conceptual error, but responses are not overly vague.

Topic appropriateness is questionable. Identifies some signs of pseudoscience but does not illustrate them (or vice versa). Whether the student understood the concepts is hard to evaluate, or there are multiple small errors.

Questionable topic appropriateness. Some relevant concepts seem to have been used, but it is hard to evaluate whether they were used correctly, or writing is common-sense without using the concepts. Gross misconceptions.

A B C D

S tr

u c

tu re

The essay has meaningful opening and closing paragraphs. Paragraphs have elegant or conventional structure, including topic sentences, transitions, and good cohesion.

Meaningful opening and closing statements. Most paragraphs have clear structure, i.e., most have a topic sentence and/or a transition, and most paragraphs are cohesive.

The writing itself is cohesive but overall structure is minimal. Minimal or no use of topic sentences and/or transitions. The lack of structure interferes with effective communication.

Arbitrary structure, lack of cohesion, topic or summary sentences, or transitions. The lack of structure seriously interferes with effective communication.

A B C D

W o

rd in

g Emulates a professional writing style akin to

the textbook and the model. Any wording problems are acceptable for an Intro course.

Uses a formal style and sufficient precision of expression. Some wording errors surrounding the vernacular or terminology.

Lapses into informal language. Shows little effort to emulate the style of the readings or the model. Major wording errors in the vernacular or terminology.

Does not use a formal writing style. Gross inaccuracies in the use of terminology, and frequent awkward or erroneous wording of the vernacular.

A B C D

S p

e ll

in g

Nearly perfect spelling. One technical term may have been misspelled, or there is one typo present.

More than 1-2 errors in difficult or unfamiliar words. Minor carelessness in common word spelling.

Multiple spelling errors or typos. The errors are distracting.

Spelling errors and typos are quite distracting and significantly interfere with communication.

A B C D

G ra

m m

a r

Nearly perfect grammar and syntax. Minor inelegancies. Proper punctuation of compound and composite sentences. Correct punctuation of “however,” “therefore,” etc. Correct punctuation of plurals and possessives.

Satisfactory grammar and syntax, but inelegancies interfere with smooth reading. Incorrect punctuation or illogical use of “however,” “therefore,” etc. Minor errors in the punctuation of plurals or possessives.

Problems with grammar and syntax interfere with reading often. More than a couple of careless mistakes in sentence construction. The writing has a rushed quality, as if no proofreading took place. Confuses plurals and possessives (e.g., confuses it’s with its, etc.).

Poorly formed sentences and serious grammar mistakes and/or multiple carelessness in sentence construction interfere with reading. The writing has unprofessional or unfinished quality.

A B C D Comments: