SUBMITTING FINAL CAPSTONE PROJECT

Case Assignment

1. Before submitting your final paper, check it over for spelling, punctuation, clarity, breadth, depth, and consistency (APA). Use the checklist from the home page and resources found in the Background information section.

2. Try reading your paper out loud, or have someone read your paper while you listen. Reading out loud by yourself or another can reveal errors that you would otherwise miss. Remember that this is your FINAL submission. This project will serve to define your professional talents.

3. Finally, submit the paper.

Assignment Expectations

Assignments should be about 15 pages double-spaced, not counting the cover or reference page(s). Adhere to the following format: (a) Cover page, (b) Header, (c) Body, (d) Citations, (e) Reference section. Submit your assignment by the last day of this module.

· Relevance—All content is connected to the question.

· Precision—Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

· Depth of discussion—Present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues.

· Breadth—Multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered.

· Evidence—Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

· Logic—Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

· Clarity—Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

· Objectivity—Avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

· References—Sources are listed at the end of the paper (APA style preferred).

Module 4 – SLP

SUBMITTING FINAL CAPSTONE PROJECT

Submit your final PowerPoint presentation

Before submitting your PPT, review the checklist on the Home page.

Your PowerPoint presentation should include the following:

1. Sufficient length—about 12 to 15 slides.

2. A good overview.

3. A good mix of text and graphics.

SLP Assignment Expectations

· Relevance—All content is connected to the question.

· Precision—Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

· Depth of discussion—Present and integrate points that lead to deeper issues.

· Breadth—Multiple perspectives and references, multiple issues/factors considered.

· Evidence—Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

· Logic—Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

· Clarity—Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

· Objectivity—Avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

· Conclusion slide.

· References slide.

Read the Background information before submitting your final project. Your readings cover academic register, punctuation, and ther grammatical areas. In it, you will become aware of what is acceptable and what is not. Some students may be surprised that some forms of expressions (e.g., clichés) should not be part of academic writing. Examples include: “at the end of the day,” “that being said,” “on the same page,” “slippery slope,” and “in a nutshell.”

Last Minute Check-Up

A checklist presented below will help you in reviewing your work; each major heading corresponds to the major components of your paper and PPT.

*Checklist

· Assignment How have you responded to the assignment for this writing? Verify that your genre, subject, and purpose are appropriate for the assignment.

· Purpose What is the purpose of your writing? Is it consistent throughout the paper?

· Audience and Voice How does the writing address the intended audience? How clearly can readers hear your writer’s voice? What role will they see you as playing? What tone will they hear?

· Genre How does your writing fit the conventions of the genre you’re using—features such as organization, evidence, and format?

· Thesis What is the thesis of your writing? Where does it become clear? Does any part of the paper stray from the thesis? Does the paper fulfill the commitment of the thesis?

· Organization What are the main points of the paper? (List them.) How well does each support the thesis? How effective is their arrangement for the paper’s purpose?

· Development How well do details, examples, and other evidence support each main point? Where, if at all, might readers find support skimpy or have trouble understanding the content?

· Unity What does each sentence and paragraph contribute to the thesis? Where, if at all, do digressions occur? Should they be cut, or can they be rewritten to support the thesis?

· Coherence How clearly and smoothly does the paper flow? Where does it seem rough or awkward? Can any transitions be improved?

· Title, Introduction, Conclusion How accurately and interestingly does the title reflect the essay’s content? How well does the introduction engage and focus readers’ attention? How effective is the conclusion in providing a sense of completion?

*Taken in part from: Fowler, H. R. & Aaron, J. E (2012) (12th ed.).The little, brown handbook. Pearson. http://wps.ablongman.com/long_fowler_lbh_12/

Required Reading

Avoiding Clichés in Writing. http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/cliche.html

How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing. http://www.uaisresearch.com/uploads/2/7/1/6/2716219/how_to_avoid_informal_writing.pdf

Merriam-Webster Online: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Spanish-English, Medical. http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Sousa, M. and Driscoll, D. (2010).Brief overview of punctuation. Purdue Online Writing Lab. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/

The difference between formal and informal writing. Word-Mart. Retrieved from: http://www.word-mart.com/html/formal_and_informal_writing.html