Projects

Instructions for projects

A key feature of the paper and project will be your own demonstration of creativity. Therefore, the paper should contain the following elements: creativity in execution and concept, discussion of creativity, interest and relevance to the class, pleasing presentation including mechanics. The paper/project should:

• Use the elements of creativity to present the subject you have chosen.
• Make new connections between your subject and other, previously unrelated, subjects taken from other aspects of this course.
• Not be simply a recitation of information on your subject but, rather, should interpret that information in light of the overall creativity of the subject and the basic concepts of creativity.
• Demonstrate genuine inquiry, show a development of your knowledge, include some technical content, treat the subject with appropriate scope and skill, and communicate all of this effectively.
• Should contain significant analysis of the subject, especially as it pertains to the time period of this class and to creativity. This analysis should be largely your own thinking but should be supported by ideas, people, events, citations, or references related to material covered in this class.
• Should demonstrate skill. In the case of the project this means that it is well constructed and neatly formed showing obvious care for details. In the case of the paper it means that it would use good grammar, be effectively organized, and maintain reader interest, all of which will be part of the grade of the paper. If electronic media are used, it means that they work easily on my equipment.
• Be sure to reread the section of the Course Outline that discusses the paper and project.

Term Paper/Project Grading Criteria

The following chart will be used in grading your papers and projects. I suggest that you consult this form when writing the paper or making the project so that you can maximize your grade and, I hope, create a better work.

Grading Criteria	Description	Points Possible	Points Received
Project or Paper: Creativity in execution and concept	Creative format, presentation, execution, style, content, and concept. Evidence of purpose and hard work. Esteemed value. It should have linear creativity. Is it extraordinary? It should contain unexpected, clever, significant, and delightful concepts. It should have lateral creativity.	120
Accompanying Explanation: Creativity Insights and Understanding	A short paper discussing creativity must accompany the project/paper. The class has a major focus on creativity. Therefore, the discussion should reveal the student's understanding of creativity as it relates to the specific project/paper and the value of the project/paper to the community.	30
Accompanying Explanation: Historical Interest and relevance	The class has a major focus on history. Therefore, the discussion of the project/paper should be strongly linked to the history of the period covered by this semester and give unique insights into interpretation of history as it relates to the specific project.	30
Project/Paper and Accompanying Explanation: Mechanics	Paper: Pleasant and easy to read because of careful use of language, style, organization, subject treatment, completeness and unexpected delights. Good grammar, spelling, format, references. Project: Well made, careful, complete, skillful effort. If electronic, it is simple to install and operate on my system. Paper or project is delivered on time.	20
Total

Comments and suggestions regarding paper mechanics

Organization and format of the paper

The purpose of the organizational scheme is to make the paper easier to read and to get your point across more effectively. Therefore, if the paper is a play, it should be written in a format that emphasizes the role of the characters. (For instance, it might set the scene in italics and then give the dialogue in normal fonts. Each line of dialogue would usually begin with the name of the character who is speaking.) Another example might be an informational paper. These can often be tiring to read and therefore almost always should have subheadings to break up the paper into easily-digested bites and to give the reader an idea of the key issues that will be presented in each section.

A well-written paper should move the reader through the major points of the paper in a logical and interesting way that ultimately leads to the conclusion of the paper. Remember that the paper should address, in some fashion, the concept of creativity.

Working on my equipment

I have a PC that is equipped with a CD/DVD drive. I run all of the common MS products (Word, Power Point, etc.). I also have MS Media Player, Quick Time player, and Acrobat reader. I have both Netscape and MS Explorer.

I suggest that you tell me what you used if you have any doubt that my system will work. Make sure that you have some instructions on how to run the program and that all instructions are clear.

Common grammatical errors and misspellings

1.    Confusion between its and it's -- remember that its is only used as a possessive and as such is like his and hers.  Neither of these (his and hers) ever has an apostrophe and neither does its when it is used as a possessive.  The contraction it's has only one meaning -- it is.

2.    Confusion between there and their -- the word their is a possessive adjective; there describes position.

3.    Confusion between there's and theirs -- the contraction there's means there is; theirs is a possessive pronoun and says that "they" own it.  As with other possessive pronouns (his, hers, its) there is no apostrophe.