How this paper is graded depends upon how well it is written. How well it is written depends upon the stated principles that determine its function. What is its function?
The function of the Library Log is to illustrate your process in using the library to answer the following two questions about your topic: What do I know? What do I need to know?
What do I know? Why have I chosen this topic? What is my personal interest in this topic? What are my personal sources of information? What resources do I have that are not in the library?
What do I need to know? What (and when) do I go to the library and search for information? What library resources have I explored? What are the limitations of the library for my topic?
This writing assignment, then, has the following criteria by which it will be graded:
1) Thoroughness. You have explored your own personal resources completely. This might involve asking yourself many questions about why you have chosen this topic, what it means to you now and what it might mean if you find the answers to the questions (quest).
2) Documentation: You have listed every resource that is at your disposal. You have given titles of specific works that you might use. You have recorded all the potential information that might answer what you need to know, and you have written a detailed commentary about the limits of the library, it not having what you need to answer your questions.
3) WRITING COMPETENCY: Since everything you write is judged on basic writing competency, the log must also be written in standard English, free of punctuation errors, spell-checked, and in a writing style appropriate to the assignment.
Grading Criteria: If you are thorough, have documented completely, and the writing is competent, then you receive an A. Appropriate deductions are made in points 1, 2, and 3, resulting in grades of B, C, D, or E.
A final reminder: Re-cycled research papers are not acceptable: no high school papers or papers based upon speeches you have done or papers from other college class assignments. Submitting papers that are not your own is plagiarism, which results in a failing grade, or worse. If in doubt, see the statement on plagiarism.
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