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Mat101: Article Analysis and Critique

 

You should become aware of how topics covered in Mat101/Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics form the foundation for published articles dealing with real-world applications of mathematics and quantitative reasoning. 

 

The assignment is to read one or more full-length articles published in either a news paper or other periodic publication (paper or electronic form) that includes the use of mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning to support hypotheses/conclusions and write a minimum of a three page critique of the article that includes:

 

·         An overall summary of the article

·         How the article relates to specific topics studied in Mat101; for example, fair division, apportionment, financial mathematics, counting techniques, probability, graph theory, data analysis, etc. 

·         Your critique of the article should discuss why it was appropriate or not appropriate for the author to use mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning to support his or her conclusions.

·         Your critique of the article should discuss how well the author used mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning to support his or her conclusions (i.e. was it done poorly, modestly, adequately or very well; and why).

 

Completion and Guidelines: Cite and include a complete copy of the articles and follow all guideline in the course grading policy concerning submission of assignments

 

Rubric:

 

4

3

2

1

Completion & Guidelines

The report cites the reference sources, includes a complete copy of the articles and follows all guidelines in the course grading policy concerning submission of assignments

The report includes a complete copy of the articles, does not cite the reference sources, and follows most of the guidelines in the course grading policy concerning submission of assignments

The report cites the reference sources, does not include a complete copy of the article and follows only a few of the guidelines in the course grading policy concerning submission of assignments

The report either does not cite the reference sources or  does not include a complete copy of the articles; and follows few if any of the guidelines in the course grading policy concerning submission of assignments 

Logic & Organization

Displays a clear and consistent overall organization of interrelated ideas and requirements of the assignment.  Develops cogent, logically organized paragraphs with clear, concise, and effective transitions.

Clear overall organization relating most ideas and requirements of the assignment. Develops unified and coherent ideas within paragraphs with generally adequate transitions.

Some overall organization, but some ideas and requirements of the assignment may seem illogical and/or unrelated. Develops and organizes ideas in paragraphs that are not necessarily connected with transitions.

Uneven and/or ineffective overall organization; does not develop ideas and requirements of the assignment cogently, organize them logically within paragraphs or connect them with clear transitions.

Evidence

Provides ample, relevant, concrete evidence and persuasive support for conjectures.

Provides relevant, concrete evidence and persuasive support for most conjectures.

Provides adequate evidence and support for some conjectures.

Weak evidence and persuasive support for conjectures, and/or relies predominantly on sweeping generalizations, narration, description, or summary.

Understanding

Demonstrates complete understanding  of all  mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning discussed in the critique

Demonstrates understanding of most mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning discussed in the critique

Demonstrates understanding of some mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning discussed in the critique

Demonstrates very little understanding of mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning discussed in the critique

Mechanics

Exact control of language, including effective word choice and sentence variety.  Punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and grammar are correct.  Very few or no errors.

Clear and effective control of language, including word choice and sentence variety. Punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and grammar are generally correct, with few errors.

Intermittent control of language, including word choice and sentence variety.  Many errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and grammar.

Poor control of language which includes problems with word choice and sentence structure.  Distracting errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and grammar.

 

Completion & Guidelines _______
       Logic & Organization _______
                          Evidence   _______
                   Understanding _______
                          Mechanics _______

Total Points ______ = grade of ______

Grade Equivalent (20 points maximum):
A =  18 - 20 points
B =  14 - 17 points

C = 10 - 13 points

D = 6 – 9 points

F = 0 – 5 points

 

Adapted from TCNJ’s 200 level Writing Course Grading Rubric.