Princeton University
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Computer Science 448
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The writeups account for 25% of the grade. This page gives information about the writeups.
The word limit for each writeup is 500 words and students are encouraged to use a word counter. You can also use wc or this python script to test submissions (*.txt files) for appropriate word count (chmod 755 counter.py and then ./counter.py <input_file>). Submissions exceeding the word count will be automatically rejected by our scripts. We expect concise, thoughtful, and creative submissions. These writeups should ideally build towards the papers and should help you in writing the papers later on. Most writeups will be individual, but some will be in groups.
- All writeups are due at 1100am EST on Wednesdays i.e., before class every week, unless instructed otherwise. No late submissions are allowed.
Writeups will be graded on four metrics:
- Crisp writing (to the point, corporate executive summary style writing is encouraged; don't caveat too much or try to be polite or complete)
- Creativity (thinking out of the box, coming up with interesting, original solutions and ideas and non-textbook points of view)
- Domain knowledge (demonstrating deep understanding of technical and non-technical issues; researching on the Web to acquire knowledge is strongly encouraged)
- Language (good writing in general)
If you feel that for a given write-up you really don't know what to say, or it feels forced, or any such thing, you are free to choose your own topic for the writeup. The form of the write-up must be the same, however. For example, if a write-up assignment says to write a memo to your CEO and co-founder, then you must write a memo to your CEO and co-founder on the topic you choose.
Please note that the bar on choice of topic will be high. So this is a higher-risk endeavor, and we don't expect many of you to do it. And we may terminate it if it's not working well.
If you choose this option, you must clearly state your new topic/prompt at the beginning of your essay. This should be 2-4 complete sentences.
Most of your assignments will be graded by one of the two TAs. If you feel that there has been an error, or you disagree with your grade, you can request that it be regraded. The essay will then be read by both TAs, and possibly JP. If you exercise this option, you must send an email to the original TA who graded your assignment within one week of recieving your grade. In the email, you should explain why you feel you deserve a higher grade. This is a "two strike" system. If you request a regrade, and we don't change your grade, then you have one strike. However, if we agree with your appeal, it does not count against you. (i.e. If this is your first appeal, you continue to have two appeals remaining) Once you have two strikes, we will no longer regrade your assignments.
Writeups should be submitted as plain TXT files using the appropriate links below:
Writeup Submission Link Writeup #1: Submit by 11:00am on Monday 02/13 Writeup #2: Submit by 11:00am on Wednesday 02/22 Writeup #3: Submit by 11:00am on Wednesday 02/29 Writeup #4: Submit by 11:00am on Wednesday 03/7 Writeup #5: Submit by 11:59pm on Friday 4/20