Library Guides: Interactive Rubric for Written Communication: 7. Mechanics

Criteria

1. 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5.	PURPOSE Topic Thesis (Argument) Context Audience Genre
2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.4.1. 2.4.2.	CONTENT Information & Data Conceptual Knowledge Examples & Illustrations Sources Relevance Authority
3. 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7.	ANALYSIS Logic Evidence Specificity Creativity Criticality Reflexivity Evaluation
4. 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4.	STRUCTURE Section Paragraph Sequence Cohesive Ties
5. 5.1. 5.2. 5.2.1. 5.2.2. 5.2.3. 5.2.4. 5.3. 5.4. 5.4.1. 5.4.2. 5.4.3. 5.5. 5.6. 5.6.1. 5.6.2. 5.6.3. 5.6.4. 5.6.5. 5.7. 5.7.1. 5.7.2. 5.8.	STYLE Clarity Tenor Mood Mode Narrative Form Active/Passive Voice Tense Vocabulary Academic Technical Inclusive Language Literary Devices Referencing Citations Reference List Quotations Application Paraphrasing Formatting Font Spacing Length
6. 6.1. 6.1.1. 6.1.2. 6.1.3. 6.2. 6.2.1. 6.2.2. 6.2.3. 6.2.4.	SYNTAX Sentences Fragments Run-on Sentences Agreement Word Classes Pronouns Prepositions Articles Conjunctions
7. 7.1. 7.2. 7.2.1. 7.2.2. 7.2.3. 7.2.4. 7.2.5. 7.2.6. 7.2.7. 7.3.	MECHANICS Spelling Punctuation Apostrophes Full Stops Capitalisation Quotation Marks Commas & Colons Abbreviations Other (e.g., Hyphens) Editing

Definition (formal)

Mechanics image. Mechanics describes the rules that govern spelling and punctuation for a particular genre and context.

Example

For example, the following sentence contains errors in the mechanics of spelling (i.e., curiculum should be curriculum) and punctuation (i.e., unnecessary comma after debate).

In the context of education, the debate, between nature and nurture can inform curiculum design.

Resources (textbook)

Refer to the textbook pages and sections to improve your knowledge and understanding of the criterion.

The Little Penguin Handbook
Call Number: eBook
Publication Date: 2014
Read pages 261-299
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Call Number: 150.149 AME 2020
Publication Date: 2019
Read chapter 6