Homework Grading Rubric

Maximum possible grade per problem = 5

Each solution should be structured according to the following list of ESSENTIALS:

E1. Problems should be written up on 8.5 × 11 inch lined paper, with no ragged edges.

E2. Multiple pages should be stapled together in the upper left corner such that all writing is clearly visible on every page.

E3. Each problem MUST BEGIN with a STATEMENT of the problem and an EXPLANATION, in WORDS, of the method and principle(s) of physics used to solve the problem.

E4. One or more neat, well-labeled SKETCHES should be included wherever relevant and possible.

E5. All numeric, formula, graphic, and text answers MUST BE BOXED IN and be easily identifiable. Isolated YES and NO answers are unacceptable. Logical reasoning must be shown clearly. REMEMBER: The grader cannot read your mind!

E6. At the END of each problem there should be an INTERPRETATION, mainly in WORDS, supplemented with formulas and/or graphs where relevant, about what the results mean. For example: Do the results make sense? Do they reduce to expected values for limiting cases? Do they imply meaningful and or sensible graphs?

E7. In a multi-part problem, EACH solution must be legible, the logic must be CLEAR, and the answer(s)  must be CORRECT . Words can help make solutions more clear.

The following rubric is intended to help students maximize their scores and help the grader generate fair grades quickly.  On occasion there can be deviations from the guidelines to deal with special cases.

For each problem, IF	THEN the grade will be*
method and answers are correct, and ALL essentials above are satisfied	5
method is largely correct but with ONE missing essential	4
the effort is significant but with TWO missing essentials	3
THREE essentials are missing	2
FOUR essentials are missing	1
the solution is missing entirely or is too poor to earn credit	0

*Extra Credit: 1 or 2 points of extra credit can be earned for a problem using a computer to do relevant numerical calculations and/or generate meaningful graphs. This includes problems labeled [COMPUTER] in Taylor's book. To obtain maximum credit, computer results must be correct and INTERPRETED clearly. Also there must be sufficient information to make it clear HOW the computer work was done - e.g., including a PRINT-OUT of the computer program and identification of which SOFTWARE was used.