Contents
Language
1.The paper uses academic style and conventions.
2.The target audience is addressed adequately (“Recipient design”)
3.The ideas are formulated in a readable, clear and engaging language.
4.The ideas are presented in a logical and appropriate fashion.
5.The text makes use of meta-language to help the reader understand
the underlying structure of the paper.
1.The project is an academic paper within the field of studies. It is
neither a journalistic article, nor a narration, essay or encyclopedic
overview.
2.The primary audience/readership are fellow students and instructors
(as part of the scientific community) who are interested in but unfamiliar with the specific topic. If in addition there is a special readership, this
is mentioned in the introduction. Example: A company or organization
which may benefit from the results.
3.The paper shows the writer’s understanding of the subject.
6.The sentences, paragraphs and sections of the paper are connected
appropriately (cohesion and coherence).
7.The language expresses the given research activities, such as analyzing,
interpreting, discussing, reflecting, evaluating.
8.When presenting the ideas by other persons, the paper includes a
variety of styles (citation, paraphrasing, summarizing) in an appropriate
fashion.
9.The language is correct, including orthography, punctuation and grammar.
10.The writer has proofread the paper at least twice before handing it
in.
4.The paper develops new connections or new insights of ideas and
knowledge.
5.The paper shows the writer’s commitment to the topic.
6.The paper demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge.
7.The introduction states why and how the research question is of
interest and relevance to writer, the reader or to any particular group.
8.The research question (the ‘goal’ or ‘problem’) is defined clearly and
precisely. It is relevant, focused and within the scope of the assignment.
9.The paper addresses the research question and focuses on the
relevant issues.
10.The paper includes a description of the research methodology and
provides a rationale for the choice.
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Structure and organization
Contents
11.The literature used is relevant, including up-to-date references.
1.The text contains an introduction, a main part and a conclusion.
12.The literature is evaluated and integrated.
2.The text also includes a title page, a table of contents, a bibliography,
and, if appropriate, an appendix and an abstract.
13.The paper is free of plagiarism. It is clear at all points who the
author of a phrase or sentence and who the originator of a each idea
presented is. All contents from persons other than the author of the
paper are marked appropriately.*
14.The theoretical background of the research is described and the
relevance to the research question is stated.
15.The paper supports statements by evidence.
16.The paper makes appropriate use of academic reasoning, such as
analyzing, interpreting, discussing controversial argumentation, discussing, reflecting, evaluating and developing ideas for application.
17.The paper uses academic terminology precisely and correctly. Technical
terms are defined.
18.The writer includes his or her own thoughts and reflections on the
topic. He/she describes and discusses his or her own (critical) position
based on the evidence presented.
19.The title of the paper describes the contents and fits the contents in
3.The presentation of the contents is structured according to an
overall organizing principle. This is the ‘skeleton’ of the structure.
4.The contents are presented in a logical fashion, and all parts are
connected.
5.The main part of the paper is subdivided into smaller parts, each
with a heading.
6.All headings are clear, descriptive and precise. When reading only the
headings, the basic contents of the dossier can be understood easily.
7.The individual parts and subparts of the paper are connected by
transitions.
8.Each paragraph contains a topic sentence. All other sentences in this
paragraph clearly relate to the topic sentence.
9.The study should be built up according to the general structure of
all scientific studies: problem statement (including motivation, stateof-the-art), description of methods, data, and procedure, presentation
of the analysis, including results, and interpretation/conclusion with
respect to the problem statement.
* Each detection of potential plagiarism in examinations will be handed over to the studieleder immediately who
decides whether it needs to be investigated by the Rektor’s office.
Further information in English: http://intern.sdu.dk/reference/regel/emne/gruppe01/re01g/.
Further information in Danish: http://intern.sdu.dk/reference/regel/emne/gruppe01/re01x/
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Final advice for long-term improvement
of writing competence
Before handing in the text reflect on those aspects of the entire process
which you enjoyed most. Then reflect on those aspects which you would like
to improve for the next project.
Notes
Check List for Project Reports
Quality Criteria for Written Project Reports
This check list for project reports was produced as part of the academic literacy project "Akademisk Skriftlighed"
funded by the Vice-Chancellor's Globalisation Fund at the University of Southern Denmark.
Designed by Daniela Santos & Carsten Dylmer
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Note: These criteria will be used for 1st semester “Communication in the Workplace”, 5th semester “Profileringsprojekt” and
for the 6th semester BA project. Students are advised to use
these criteria as a check list before and during their projects.
Instructors will use it for feedback and grading.
In general
Form and layout
The paper as a whole adheres to the rules and regulations of the respective paragraph in the studieordning and complies with the university
regulations.
The grading is based on the degree to which the paper fulfills the criteria
in the areas of (1) content, (2) structure and organization, (3) language and
(4) form.
1.Written assignments include a length restriction (c.f. studieordning),
i.e. number of pages. This refers to the main text and does not include
the title page, the table of contents, list of tables, bibliography, abstract,
and appendix. A “page“ is defined as “normalside” with 2100 characters
(including blank spaces)**.1 The number of characters and the number
of ‘normalsider’ need to be indicated on the title page.
2.The layout and style are academically appropriate. It should be appealing to the eye.
3.Every page (excluding the title page) has a page number.
4.The information in the table of contents is complete. Headings and
page numbers correspond to those in the main text.
5.The bibliography is complete and in alphabetical order according to
author, no matter whether the source is in print or from the internet.
6.Citations from the internet include name of the author or organization, title (if possible), URL and date of download.
7.All contents and citations from persons other than the writer are
either (a) marked as citation, (b) paraphrased or (c) summarized. It has
to be clearly indicated at all times whose ideas are expressed. All
sources are listed in the bibliography.
8.If the appendix contains more than one item each items is listed in the
table of contents as “Appendix A: Title of document”, “Appendix B: Title
of document” etc.; the appendix is arranged accordingly.
**Cf. § 27 fællesbestemmelser under
http://www.sdu.dk/~/media/1E2C3A17A9304D8D9E29441D4AE1CD73.ashx
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