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Problem-Report Grading
Each Problem Report will be graded out of 30 points total. Of those points, roughly 5 points are given for the correctness of the solution. Roughly 10 points will be dedicated to the quality of the explanation, i.e. its ability to convince the reader. The notions of clarity and completeness apply here. Roughly 10 points will be dedicated to the form and presentation of the report. This includes grammar and organization.
The remaining 5 points are gained by something extra. This can include a creative way of giving your solution, such as in the form of a letter or a story, or a paragraph reflecting on what went on during the small or large group work. In doing this it is helpful to highlight a turning point in the discussion, whether it was a misunderstanding, a good idea that failed, or a breakthrough. Perhaps the greatest moments are when ideas from old problems come into play in the attack on the present one. All of these extra things concern the process of thinking about the problem rather than the final solution.
The points assigned to each of these four aspects of a report are only approximate since as you can imagine they are all connected to each other: the explanation cannot be fully effective without a correct solution, and often the explanation is given by way of describing the thought process that a small group went through.
Problem Report Checklist
Here is a list of the main questions I ask when grading your papers. You are encouraged to use this checklist as a guide for yourself while writing the assignment.
Does this paper:
- provide a paragraph which explains how the problem will be approached?
- state the answer in a complete sentence or paragraph which stands on its own?
- give a precise and well-organized explanation of how the answer was found?
- clearly label diagrams, tables, graphs, or other visual representations of the math?
- define all variables, terminology, and notation used?
- clearly state the assumptions which underlie the formulas and statements, and explain how each formula or statement is obtained, or where it can be found?
- give acknowledgment where it is due?
- use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
- contain correct mathematics?
- solve the question that was originally asked?
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