Fact Sheet Collection Assignment

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points 1
  • Submitting a file upload
  • File Types pdf

Choose the Version of the  Assignment

This assignment replaces the Recommendation Report assignment. If your group prefers, you can do the Recommendation Report instead, but you must let Traci know of your choice by April 11.

Choose the version of the assignment you prefer. The requirements are the same. The two versions are meant to help with students who have different needs. Regardless of which your group chooses, you’ll turn in your assignment here.

No matter which version of the assignment, read the Writing an Effective Fact Sheet infographic for details on what to include.

Both versions use the following scenario:

You work as a Usability Consultant at Maroon + Orange Digital, where I (Traci) serve as a Founding Owner and the Director of Project Development. Your client is the person responsible for the website your group selected.

The client has asked you to evaluate their website and create educational materials to help employees improve it. You’ll prepare a set of short, easy-to-read fact sheets that explain specific principles, show how they apply to the current site, and suggest improvements.

AI Guidelines for Both Versions

Allowed Use of AI

You can use Copilot or another Generative AI tool of your choice on this project in any of the ways listed under the question “What can I use AI for in this course? Links to an external site.” in the Course Policies Manual. Be sure to save the responses AI gives you. 

Prohibited Use of AI

You cannot ask AI to write or revise your drafts or final submissions for you. Doing so directly violates the Cheating and Plagiarism sections of the Virginia Tech Honor Code.

Additional Resources

0

Rubric

Keep in mind that 29 students have already been assessed using this rubric. Changing it will affect their evaluations.
Fact Sheet Collection Rubric
Fact Sheet Collection Rubric
Criteria Ratings
Client Site Selection and Suitability
Our fact sheet collection focuses on a client website that uses English, that fits with the VT Principles of Community, that includes at least 8 to 12 webpages, that is managed by a specific person, and that was not designed or written by Traci.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations The selected site fully meets all criteria: English language, VT Principles of Community alignment, 8–12 pages, identified site manager, and not affiliated with Traci; thoughtful rationale is evident.
Meets Expectations The site meets all the required criteria with no issues.
Almost Meets Expectations The site mostly meets the criteria but is weak in one area (e.g., fewer pages, unclear ownership).
Needs Work to Meet Expectations The site does not clearly meet two or more criteria, or rationale for selection is weak.
Missing or Incomplete The selected site does not meet key criteria or is missing entirely.
Letter of Transmittal: Format and Audience
Our fact sheet collection includes a letter of transmittal written in standard memo or letter format and document design, with single spacing within paragraphs and double spacing between paragraphs. It is written to the client website’s owner or manager and uses the appropriate name, job title, and address.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Memo/letter format is flawless, professional, and well-designed; spacing is consistent; recipient’s name, title, and address are correct and clearly tailored.
Meets Expectations Proper memo/letter format is used; correct spacing and recipient info included.
Almost Meets Expectations Mostly follows memo/letter conventions, but has minor formatting or spacing issues.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Format is inconsistent, recipient details are incorrect or missing; lacks professional tone.
Missing or Incomplete Format is incorrect or missing; recipient is not identified or letter is absent.
Letter of Transmittal: Content and Organization
Our letter of transmittal includes paragraphs on the following: 1: Purpose and Delivery, 2: Background, 3: Contents and Value, 4: Relevance to the Client, and 5: Contact and Next Steps.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Includes all five required paragraphs; each paragraph is fully developed, logically organized, and directly tailored to the client’s needs.
Meets Expectations Includes all required sections; each paragraph has a clear purpose and fits the structure.
Almost Meets Expectations Missing or underdeveloped paragraph(s); some repetition or lack of clarity.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Lacks multiple key sections or paragraphs are vague and unorganized.
Missing or Incomplete Letter is missing or includes only minimal or off-topic content.
Title Page
Our fact sheet collection includes a properly formatted title page, which lists a strong title, the name and address of the person whom the collection was prepared for, and the names of the people who prepared the collection.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expecatations Title page is fully formatted and professional; includes a strong title, correct recipient name and address, and all group member names; formatting is consistent with the collection’s overall design.
Meets Expectations Title page includes all required information: title, recipient’s name and address, and group member names.
Almost Meets Expectations Title page is included but has minor errors (e.g., formatting inconsistencies, missing address or one name).
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Title page is present but missing key elements or appears hastily done.
Missing or Incomplete Title page is missing or lacks multiple required components.
Table of Contents
Our fact sheet collection includes a properly formatted table of contents, which lists all fact sheets, with the name of the person who wrote each one, and the page the fact sheet begins on.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Table of contents is complete, easy to navigate, and professionally formatted; lists all fact sheets with correct page numbers and authors' names.
Meets Expectations Table of contents includes all fact sheets with corresponding author names and page numbers.
Almost Meets Expectations Table of Contents is included but contains small errors (e.g., missing page numbers or one author’s name).
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Table of Contents is incomplete or confusing; may omit multiple fact sheets or include formatting issues.
Missing or Incomplete Table of contents is missing or not usable.
Fact Sheet Consistency
Our fact sheet collection includes a fact sheet for each participating member of the group, and has been designed for consistency among the sheets.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Each group member contributed a fact sheet; all sheets are visually and structurally consistent, with a unified layout and design.
Meets Expectations Each group member submitted a fact sheet; most use consistent formatting and structure.
Almost Meets Expectations Most group members submitted fact sheets, but some have noticeable formatting or design differences.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations One or more group members are missing fact sheets or sheets vary widely in design.
Missing or Incomplete Several fact sheets are missing or lack any attempt at consistency.
Fact Sheet Title & Byline
My fact sheet includes a clear and specific title and my name as the author.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Each fact sheet includes a clear, specific, and engaging title and the full name of the author.
Meets Expectations Title is specific, and the author is clearly listed.
Almost Meets Expectations Title and byline are present but may be vague or inconsistent in format
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Title or byline is missing or unclear.
Missing or Incomplete Title and byline is missing.
Fact Sheet Introduction or Summary
My fact sheet explains why the topic matters (2–4 sentences).
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Introduction is concise, engaging, and clearly explains why the topic matters in 2–4 focused sentences.
Meets Expectations Introduction explains the importance of the topic in 2–4 sentences.
Almost Meets Expectations Introduction is present but may be too brief, too long, or unclear.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Introduction is confusing, poorly written, or lacks explanation of importance.
Missing or Incomplete No introduction or summary is provided.
Fact Sheet Key Facts or Data Points
My fact sheet explains 3–5 essential facts in bullets, stats, or short paragraphs.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Fact sheet presents 3–5 essential facts using clear bullets, statistics, or brief paragraphs; content is well-selected and relevant.
Meets Expectations Fact sheet includes 3–5 relevant facts in appropriate format.
Almost Meets Expectations Fewer than 3 or more than 5 facts, or the format lacks clarity.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Facts are vague, excessive, or poorly organized.
Missing or Incomplete No key facts or data points are provided.
Fact Sheet Visuals
My fact sheet supports key points using charts, screenshots, or diagrams; place visuals near relevant text (in proximity).
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Visuals strongly support key points, are well-labeled, relevant, and placed close to related text.
Meets Expectations Visuals support the content and are placed near related text.
Almost Meets Expectations Visuals are included but may lack clarity or be placed ineffectively.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Visuals are present but decorative, irrelevant, unclear, or poorly integrated.
Missing or Incomplete Visuals are missing or do not support the content.
Fact Sheet Headings/Subheadings
My fact sheet uses clear section headings for easy scanning, with the main heading as the largest and subheadings smaller.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Clear, consistent headings make the sheet easy to scan; main headings stand out and subheadings are properly nested.
Meets Expectations Headings and subheadings are present and organized logically.
Almost Meets Expectations Some headings are missing or inconsistent in style or hierarchy.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Headings are hard to follow or not well differentiated.
Missing or Incomplete No headings or subheadings used.
Fact Sheet Sources
My fact sheet cites all data and claims; include links or footnotes; full references at the end; use a consistent citation format across the group.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations All sources are cited using a consistent and ethical format; full references, links, or footnotes are included.
Meets Expectations Most sources are cited accurately and ethically; consistent citation format is mostly used.
Almost Meets Expectations Some sources are cited, but formatting or consistency is weak.
Needs Work to Meet Expectations Citations are incomplete or inconsistently applied.
Missing or Incomplete Sources are missing, uncredited, or improperly cited.
Fact Sheet Date
My fact sheet indicates when the fact sheet was created or updated.
Edit criterion description
Exceeds Expectations Each fact sheet clearly shows a creation or update date in a consistent format across the group.
Meets Expectations Date is included and correctly formatted.
Almost Meets Expectations Date is present but inconsistent or unclear.
Missing or Incomplete No date is provided.