TERM PAPER GRADING SHEET

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.

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.
• Submitted ______ days late, reducing the final grade by ______ increments.

PART 4: THE GRADE (Before deductions for lateness)

• A+ An extensive, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the physical principles that make the object work, nicely packaged in an unusually readable paper.
• A A good, accurate, and comprehensive explanation of the physical principles that make the object work. Well structured and with very few flaws.
• A- A good, accurate, and fairly thorough explanation of the physical principles that make the object work. Well structured and with few flaws.
• B+ An accurate explanation of most of the physical principles that make the object work. Only minor flaws.
• B A fairly accurate explanation of many of the physical principles that make the object work. Only minor flaws.
• B- A fairly accurate explanation of some of the physical principles that make the object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.
• C+ An adequate explanation of a few of the physical principles that make the object work. The paper includes some significant flaws.
• C The paper largely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and includes some significant flaws in any such attempts.
• C- A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and is significantly flawed in general.
• D A paper that completely avoids explaining the physical principles that make the object work and is extensively flawed in general.