 textbook
More than 3 reliable sources including a book other than the textbook
Unacceptable writing form
Multiple errors in punctuation, capitalization, grammar, spelling and/or form
Several errors in punctuation, capitalization, grammar, spelling and/or form
Minimal errors in punctuation, capitalization, grammar, spelling and/or form
Correct punctuation, capitalization, grammar, spelling and/or form
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Tips on How to Make an "A"
First, read everything on this page
I know there is a lot to read. The information and instructions on this page are a result of many semesters of grading these PowerPoints. The instructions were very simple at first, but every problem, every misunderstanding, every misguided interpretation, and every erroneous assumption has resulted in additional information or clarification in the hopes that future students will be more informed and therefore, more successful.
Do some research
"Research" does not mean looking it up on Wikipiedia. Remember that Wikipiedia doesn't even count as a valid source. Some of that information is very good, but anyone can post on Wikipiedia, whether they have a clue or not. You can start there, but use the bibliography at the bottom of the Wikipiedia article to look at other sources. Tarleton also has excellent databases and library services available online. Go to the library page (http://www.tarleton.edu/library/) and click on "Databases." Oxford Music Online and IIMP are a great place to begin. Do some reading but DO NOT under any circumstances copy material from these sources unless you intend to use quotation marks. Even then, quotations should only be used sparingly.
Don't choose a single performer or group as your topic
Of course you can if you wish. The danger in this is that inevitably, students will start to list what albums they have recorded, what awards they have won, where they went on tour, what year they started using drugs. This information does not require any thinking. If you do choose a single artist or group, do so with a specific point in mind that does not require a chronological treatment of his/her/their career(s). My observation has also been that students will choose their favorite artist or group, about which they are incapable of being objective. It ends up sounding more like a commercial than an academic assignment.
Teach the teacher
Along the same lines as the point above, I am most impressed when I can grade a project that makes me think. The fact that Joe Rock Star's third album went triple platinum does not make me think. Find and gather all of the details you like about your topic, but your conclusion should be based upon your own critical thinking skills, taking that information, thinking about it, and drawing your own conclusions (not paraphrasing someone else's conclusion).
How to rip CDs into MP3s
These instructions use Windows Media Player, but other players use a similar process
Right-click along the top of the window.
Click the Rip Music tab.
Choose MP3 as the format.
Note: Do not save as .wav files as these are huge memory hogs (40 megs per song instead of 1 or 2, for example)
How to use MP3 audio files with PowerPoint
Save your PowerPoint file in a new FOLDER and name it Powerpoint_yourname
Copy all of the mp3 files that you plan to use into the same FOLDER (do this first, before you link them to the slides)
Note: your Powerpoint is a file!
You must put your PowerPoint plus the mp3s in a FOLDER.
FOLDERS look like this: When you open the folder, you should be able to see your PowerPoint and the mp3's that you intend to use in your project. Below is an example of what your folder should contain:
After you have placed the mp3's in the folder, on each slide in which you wish to insert an audio file, click insert - movies and sounds - sound from file and choose the mp3 from the folder containing your PowerPoint and mp3 files. This will link the mp3 to the PowerPoint slide.
When you are finished with your PowerPoint and ready to submit, zip the folder (See below for instructions).
Submit the zipped file in the assig