The field labs in Physical Geology require write-ups. These must be typed on a word processor, and must closely adhere to the following guidelines:

Proof read carefully! The object of a write-up is to have you look at the data and geologic descriptions, to help you interpret the data in terms of the geology, and to have you write about the field site in such a way that fellow students could easily understand what you did and what you learned. The reports should be a flowing narrative, approximately following this sequence:

  1. A description of the site, with the outcrop scene, rock types, and rock ages.
  2. A description of how the data were collected.
  3. A description of the data.
  4. An interpretation of the data in terms of site geology with clear reference to your own supporting evidence (tables, figures).

Don't answer the questions posed in the lab handouts in a bare 1-2-3-4 sequence; a flowing narrative is what I would like. You may use information beyond that collected in lab, but be sure to give complete and appropriate citations as necessary.

 

WARNING! Although you will usually work in groups, all work handed in must be your own. This includes text, graphs, drawings, and data tables, including those printed by computer. Violations will be considered plagiarism!

 

The written reports will be graded on a 0 to 5 scale according to the following guidelines. Use them to help write better reports, now and in the future. The numerical scores don't really correspond to letter grades (see syllabus), but will be figured into your total numerical score at the end of the term. A score of 2 or lower indicates that substantial improvement is warranted.

Score guidelines:

Score Characteristics of reports with this score
5 Presentation of the geologic problem, data, and interpretation demonstrates a high degree of writing and thinking competence. A report in this category generally has the following properties:
  • Well-organized and concise.
  • Clearly distinguishes between fact and interpretation.
  • Accurate and complete description of factual data.
  • Accurate and complete interpretation.
  • Uses relevant data in a clear and logical way to support the interpretations, refers in the text to all figures and tables.
  • Free or nearly free of errors in language mechanics, word usage, spelling, and/or proofreading.
  • Adherence to the text formatting guidelines.
4 Presentation of the geologic problem, data, and interpretation demonstrates a good degree of writing and thinking competence. A report in this category generally has the following properties:
  • Fairly well-organized and reasonably concise.
  • Fact and interpretation are usually well distinguished.
  • Description of factual data is largely complete and accurate.
  • Mostly accurate and complete interpretation.
  • Relevant data is used in a logical way to support some of the interpretations, some figures and tables are referred to in the text.
  • Largely free of errors in language mechanics, word usage, spelling, and/or proofreading.
  • Adherence to the text formatting guidelines.
3 Presentation of the geologic problem, data, and interpretation demonstrates an adequate degree of writing and thinking competence. A report in this category generally has the following properties:
  • Adequately organized.
  • Fact and interpretation are sometimes distinguished.
  • Description of factual data is adequate, but may be incomplete or contain some inaccuracies.
  • Interpretation is adequate but may be somewhat incomplete or inaccurate.
  • Relevant data is used to support some of the interpretations, but there may be problems with the logic of the support. Few or no figures or tables are referred to in the text.
  • Generally free of serious errors in language mechanics, word usage, spelling, and/or proofreading.
  • Generally adheres to the text formatting guidelines.
2 Presents parts of the geologic problem, data, and interpretation, but generally without logical connection or logical form. An report in this category has at least one of the following problems:
  • Inadequate or illogical organization.
  • Fact is mostly confused with interpretation.
  • Description of the factual data is seriously incomplete.
  • Interpretation is seriously incomplete or wrong.
  • Relevant data are not significantly used to support the interpretations, or there are serious flaws in the logic of support.
  • A pattern of serious errors in language mechanics, word usage, spelling, and/or proofreading.
  • Fails to adhere to the text formatting guidelines in serious ways.
1 Little coherent description of the geologic problem, data, or interpretation connected with the assignment. A report in this category has at least one of the following problems:
  • Little discernible organization.
  • Inaccurate representation of the facts.
  • Description of factual data is missing.
  • Interpretation is missing.
  • No data are used to support the interpretations, or severe flaws in the logic of support.
  • A pattern of persistent, major errors in language mechanics, word usage, spelling, and/or proofreading.
0 A report in this category has at least one of the following problems.
  • No discernible organization.
  • Incoherent or severely inaccurate language mechanics or word usage.
  • Failure to address the topic.
  • Failure to turn in the assignment on time.
  • Plagiarism! Ugh! It is better to do nothing than to do this!

 

Physical Geology home page

Kurt Hollocher

Geology Department

Union College

Schenectady, NY 12308

U.S.A.