WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Minimum Writing Standards (page 262 of the Salem State College Catalog)

"The college policy on minimum writing standards applies to all course work.

No expository writing assignment submitted for a course will receive a grade of "C" or above unless it has the following :

  • A clear and readily identifiable thesis statement.
  • A clear and coherent overall structure.
  • Paragraphs with topic sentences and adequate, specified development.
  • Standard but varied sentence structure and expression.
  • Standard usage, punctuation, and spelling.
  • Accurate documentation when necessary."

2. Writing Style

The course requires a professional report writing style. Conversational style writing is unacceptable. Written case analyses require complete written sentences (outline form is unacceptable unless specifically stated differently by the instructor). Grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, citations and active voice are key dimensions required in the report writing style format. Writing is an integral part of measuring the student's or team's performance in this course. The instructor may require an individual ora team to use the Writing Center.

3. Content Outline

For all written weekly assignment submittals, choose and address one learning goal from one of the chapters we covered during the week. Your assignment may take one or more of the following themes:

  • Compare and contrast the learning goal with other topics
  • Use an example to highlight a personal experience
  • Provide a literature review using the references. How do the references address the learning goal topic? What are the differences and what are the similarities? Which portions of the references align with your views?
  • How did your personal perspective change as a result of reading about the learning goal?

4. The paper format criteria is:

  • At the top of the left-hand side of the page list your name, date, chapter and learning goal. Specifically write the learning goal from the chapter
  • use new Times Roman 11 point font (This syllabus is new Times Roman 11 point font.)
  • single space the written text and skip one line between paragraphs
  • paper size is 8.5 by 11 inches
  • number all pages except the title page at the bottom of the page using sequential numbers
  • use 1 inch margins for each side of the paper
  • use section headings
  • the report must be free of spelling errors
  • the report must use correct grammar, sentence structure and punctuation
  • the report must use active voice (vice passive voice)
  • use appendices for figures
  • use APA style to reference all citations and original sources (e.g., Desmarais, 1998)

5. Performance measurement

Your performance corresponds directly with assessment criteria provided in the rubric. The assessment criteria include quality of the content, timeliness, and conformance with the format criteria.