EM120 – StaticsHandout-Writing Assignment Instructions.docx

Objectives for Process Problem Assignments

Like any of the problems assigned in this course, the main goal of having you work through these “process problems” is to help you in your goal of understanding Statics (and Engineering in general). Much of a typical engineering course is taught and practiced through numbers and equations, and for good reason: these are the tools that we commonly use to explain engineering phenomena. However, writing in words about these engineering topics may also help improve your ability to learn about them. You may have similarly experienced this when studying with friends; many students report that explaining a topic in words to someone else actually helps him/herself understand the material better. These problems are designed to provide you an opportunity to go though the same process in a more structured way.

Instructions to Complete Process Problems

Your written procedure will be graded based on the following criteria:

  • Has the student provided sufficient detail that another beginning Statics student could reproduce the approach to the solution?For the specified problem, describe in words the steps you followed in order to set up and solve the problem in such a way that someone else in the class should be able to understand. If you are unsure as to whether a certain process or term needs more description, err on the side of caution and include it in your response (while maintaining the three-quarter page limit). Since your figures will not be included as part of your written response, be sure to describe any variable names that you create. For problems involving equilibrium, be sure to also include information that indicates which body(ies) you have isolated for your free body diagram(s) and what forces/moments you have included.
  • Has the student demonstrated an understanding of what is being done in the solution process?It is strongly recommended that you first work out the specified problem on paper and logically organize your solution process before beginning this written assignment. Check all steps in your approach for accuracy.
  • Is the description written so that an expert (TA or instructor) can understand what the student means?Your goal is to make your instructions as simple to understand as possible while still being complete. Begin by stating the objective(s) of the problem (what your solution process will result in). You may choose to format your response in either paragraph form or as a list of steps, but in either case, use complete sentences. Each sentence of your solution should be understandable without relying on another sentence.
  • Is the description focused on the approach to the solution of this problem, not the specific numbers of the solution?The written procedure should be focused on the Statics concepts and processes necessary for solving the problem. Your written procedure should notinclude the particular numbers associated with the problem.
  • Is the assignment formatted according to guidelines given?Please limit your response to three-fourths of a page typed, either single-spaced in Times New Roman 12 or 1.15-spaced in Calibri 11 (Word 2007/2010 defaults). Use boldface type to indicate vectors and italics to indicate scalars.

Scoring Rubric:

Criteria / Full Credit (2 pts) / Partial Credit (1 pt) / No Credit (0 pts)
Has the student provided sufficient detail that another beginning Statics student could reproduce the approach to the solution? / Identify sequence by which unknowns are being found. / One necessary step is missing or steps are slightly out of order. / More than one necessary step is missing or greatly unordered.
Variables used in each equation are identified. / Variables used are not identified in one equation. / Variables used are not identified for multiple equations.
Body or particle chosen for FBD is identified (if applicable). / Body or particle for FBD not clearly identified.
Has the student demonstrated an understanding of what is being done in the solution process? / Approach described is fundamentally sound. / One error in the approach or distracting extraneous information. / Multiple errors in approach.
Each equation used is described in words, not with algebra. / One equation described algebraically. / Multiple equations described algebraically.
Is the description written such that an expert can understand what the student means? / Description begins with the objective(s) of the problem. / Description does not begin with the objective of the problem.
Pronouns have clear meanings (each sentence is easily understandable). / One or two sentences are not clear. / More than two sentences are not clear.
Is the description focused on the approach to the solution of this problem, not the specific numbers of the solution? / No problem-specific quantities are used in the description. / One problem-specific quantity is provided in the description. / More than one problem-specific quantities are provided in the description.
Details are provided about solving this particular problem. / Description is about how to solve this type of problem in general.
Is the assignment formatted according to guidelines given? / Description no longer than ¾ page typed using font size and paragraph spacing indicated. / Description more than ¾ page, but less than 1 page. / Description more than one full page typed.
Vectors are boldfaced, scalars are italicized. / One or two vectors/scalars are not properly formatted. / More than two vectors/scalars not properly formatted.
No figures are present. / One or more figures are present.

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