NRES 467/667
Guidelines for preparing written assignments
Guidelines for preparing written assignments
Written assignments will be composed of two parts:
(1) Part 1 (1.5 pages) will demonstrate your ability to review the class material (notes, readings, videos) and synthesize the major points.
(2) Part 2 (1 to 1.5 pages) should include information that further investigates information presented in class or brings in new ideas and information not discussed in class. This component will entail independent research and reflection on the topic addressed. There should be at least two sources of information beyond those presented in class with new information, examples, etc. used to illustrate and/or support the points made.
Thoughts should be presented in a concise and coherent manner. The first draft might be 10 pages or more! Just write down everything that you consider important. Then go back, read what you wrote, and edit your sentences and your thoughts. Including enough information and being succinct is not easy, it requires a lot of work (and time) and might take several drafts. Assignments will be evaluated on the basis of level of understanding of the broad topic and ability to synthesize major issues, and rigorous and creative evaluation of the current state in the field.
Here are some examples from last year (note that not the same material was covered in class this year, so some of the summary may be different):
sample 1 sample 2 sample 3
Formatting
Two to three typed pages, 10-12 pt font, 1.5 pt space, and reasonable margins. Include your name, and topic title, no subtitles/headings are necessary (instead, use paragraphs to delineate thoughts).
Literature cited (journal and newspaper articles, books, web sources, etc)
If you bring up something that requires a reference (new material, thoughts that are not your own, course readings, and so on), cite it in the text immediately after that information is presented, and list the full reference in the Literature cited section. Literature cited should be supplied on a separate sheet and will not count towards the assignment page limit.
Note
The assignments are due at the beginning of the class period indicated (if you are going to be late for the class, make sure that the assignment is handed in on time). If you cannot make it to class you may e-mail the assignment before it is due. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the assignment gets to the instructor (if you do not receive an e-mail response that assignment has been received, it is still up to you to make sure that the instructor gets the assignment).
Late assignments will not be accepted (no exceptions).
(1) Part 1 (1.5 pages) will demonstrate your ability to review the class material (notes, readings, videos) and synthesize the major points.
(2) Part 2 (1 to 1.5 pages) should include information that further investigates information presented in class or brings in new ideas and information not discussed in class. This component will entail independent research and reflection on the topic addressed. There should be at least two sources of information beyond those presented in class with new information, examples, etc. used to illustrate and/or support the points made.
Thoughts should be presented in a concise and coherent manner. The first draft might be 10 pages or more! Just write down everything that you consider important. Then go back, read what you wrote, and edit your sentences and your thoughts. Including enough information and being succinct is not easy, it requires a lot of work (and time) and might take several drafts. Assignments will be evaluated on the basis of level of understanding of the broad topic and ability to synthesize major issues, and rigorous and creative evaluation of the current state in the field.
Here are some examples from last year (note that not the same material was covered in class this year, so some of the summary may be different):
sample 1 sample 2 sample 3
Formatting
Two to three typed pages, 10-12 pt font, 1.5 pt space, and reasonable margins. Include your name, and topic title, no subtitles/headings are necessary (instead, use paragraphs to delineate thoughts).
Literature cited (journal and newspaper articles, books, web sources, etc)
If you bring up something that requires a reference (new material, thoughts that are not your own, course readings, and so on), cite it in the text immediately after that information is presented, and list the full reference in the Literature cited section. Literature cited should be supplied on a separate sheet and will not count towards the assignment page limit.
Note
The assignments are due at the beginning of the class period indicated (if you are going to be late for the class, make sure that the assignment is handed in on time). If you cannot make it to class you may e-mail the assignment before it is due. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the assignment gets to the instructor (if you do not receive an e-mail response that assignment has been received, it is still up to you to make sure that the instructor gets the assignment).
Late assignments will not be accepted (no exceptions).
