Laura Kelly
Short Writing Assignment for Students
2005 Workshop on Improving Student Writing
Center for Writing Excellence
Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
Double-Entry Vocabulary Worksheets
Learning Objectives of the Assignment:
- Improve your ability to identify key terms and concepts.
- Create definitions that are meaningful to you.
- Improve your ability to explain material in a manner that is accurate, clear and complete.
- Improve concept recognition when material appears elsewhere in the course.
- Aid in developing materials that can be used to study for examinations.
- Exposure to the current APA citation format.
Throughout the semester you will be asked to make entries on worksheets. At least once in each class there will be an opportunity to stop and reflect on the material we have covered by identifying important material.
- On the left side of the worksheet you will be asked to write a term(s), statement(s), concepts or theories. Sometimes the instructor will provide one. At other times you will be asked to provide your own.
- On the right side of the page you will provide a formal definition or explanation of the item. The information can be from your text or any other source. You are encouraged to seek out any sources that help you understand the material.
- You must cite the source (even if it is your text) using current APA style.
- The quotation should then be followed by a rephrasing of the item in your own word and one other learning technique such as a drawing which will help you remember the information. For example, if it is term it might be helpful to use it in a sentence or two with other material from the class; if it is a process create a flow chart.
- Rephrasing should use correct grammar and spelling.
- Hand the sheet(s) on the day specified.
Notes: The sheets may be hand written – though they must be legible to receive credit. Keep in mind that spell checkers often do not contain specific professional vocabulary.
Grading Criteria:
- Are requested items present?
- Is your rephrasing and/or explanation accurate, clear and complete?
- Have appropriate citations been used for information from other sources?
SAMPLE
Worksheet for Tuesday --------------------
| Term/Concept |
Response |
| Amplitude |
“The extent of the vibratory movement of a mass from its position of rest to that point of furthest from the position of rest” (Martin & Clark, p.427) |
| |
Example of an incomplete rephrasing -
Distance an air molecule moves away from its starting point. |
| |
Example of an inaccurate rephrasing –
The back and forth movement of a molecule. |
| |
Example of an unclear rephrasing –
When it moves from one point to another, this creates the amplitude. |
| |
Example of accurate, complete rephrasing –
When a molecule vibrates it moves away from a starting point. The distance the molecule is furthest away from the starting point represents the amplitude of the movement. |
| |
Sample sentence: A jet taking off would create vibrations of great amplitude. |
Drawing:
References:
Martin, F. & Clark, J. (2003) Introduction to audiology (5th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
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