TERM PAPER GRADING SHEET

PART 1: DISCUSSION OF PHYSICAL CONCEPTS AND PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES

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

q       The paper frequently discusses physical issues involved in the object.

q       The paper discusses physical issues involved in the object.

q       The paper occasionally discusses physical issues involved in the object.

q       The paper rarely discusses physical issues involved in the object.

q       The paper never discusses physical issues involved in the object.

PART 2: PARTICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PAPER

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

q       Well written so that the paper is pleasant to read.

q       Nicely packaged, enhancing the content without wasting words.

q       Well thought out so that it appears complete and thorough.

q       Degree-of-difficulty: your topic was especially difficult and your grade has been raised accordingly

PART 3: FLAWS IN THE PAPER

q       Too much description (a small amount is fine).

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

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

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

q       Mistakes in the application or understanding of physical principles.

q       Vague in the application of physical principles to the object.

q       Too short (content substantially less than 5 pages).

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

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

q       Poorly written, making it difficult to read.

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

q       The paper has little or no structure and rambles.

PART 4: THE GRADE (Before deductions for lateness)

q       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.

q       A (90) A good, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the physical principles that make the object work. Well structured and with very few flaws.

q       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.

q       B+ (83.3) An accurate explanation of most of the physical principles that make the object work. Only minor flaws.

q       B (80) A fairly accurate explanation of many of the physical principles that make the object work. Only minor flaws.

q       B–(76.7) A fairly accurate explanation of some of the physical principles that make the object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.

q       C+ (73.3) An adequate explanation of a few of the physical principles that make the object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.

q       C (70) The paper largely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and includes some significant flaws in any such attempts.

q       C– (66.7) A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and is significantly flawed in general.

q       D (60) A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and is extensively flawed in general.