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.

Infographic PDF (accessible version)
Fully Detailed Instructions (similar to previous assignments)

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

Example Fact Sheets
- Communication Tools: Fact Sheets Links to an external site. (backup Links to an external site.), from the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota
- U.S. National Science Foundation Links to an external site. (backup Links to an external site.)
- Systems Engineering and Architecture Info Sheets (backup Links to an external site.), from the U.S. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
- NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Fact Sheets Links to an external site. (Backup Links to an external site.)
How-to’s for the Required Elements
Annotated Examples

Rubric

Title:

Keep in mind that 29 students have already been assessed using this rubric. Changing it will affect their evaluations.

Fact Sheet Collection Rubric

Criteria

Ratings

Edit criterion description

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.

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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.

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Meets Expectations

The site meets all the required criteria with no issues.

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Almost Meets Expectations

The site mostly meets the criteria but is weak in one area (e.g., fewer pages, unclear ownership).

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

The site does not clearly meet two or more criteria, or rationale for selection is weak.

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Missing or Incomplete

The selected site does not meet key criteria or is missing entirely.

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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.

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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.

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Meets Expectations

Proper memo/letter format is used; correct spacing and recipient info included.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Mostly follows memo/letter conventions, but has minor formatting or spacing issues.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Format is inconsistent, recipient details are incorrect or missing; lacks professional tone.

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Missing or Incomplete

Format is incorrect or missing; recipient is not identified or letter is absent.

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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.

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Exceeds Expectations

Includes all five required paragraphs; each paragraph is fully developed, logically organized, and directly tailored to the client’s needs.

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Meets Expectations

Includes all required sections; each paragraph has a clear purpose and fits the structure.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Missing or underdeveloped paragraph(s); some repetition or lack of clarity.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Lacks multiple key sections or paragraphs are vague and unorganized.

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Missing or Incomplete

Letter is missing or includes only minimal or off-topic content.

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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.

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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.

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Meets Expectations

Title page includes all required information: title, recipient’s name and address, and group member names.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Title page is included but has minor errors (e.g., formatting inconsistencies, missing address or one name).

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Title page is present but missing key elements or appears hastily done.

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Missing or Incomplete

Title page is missing or lacks multiple required components.

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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.

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Exceeds Expectations

Table of contents is complete, easy to navigate, and professionally formatted; lists all fact sheets with correct page numbers and authors' names.

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Meets Expectations

Table of contents includes all fact sheets with corresponding author names and page numbers.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Table of Contents is included but contains small errors (e.g., missing page numbers or one author’s name).

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Table of Contents is incomplete or confusing; may omit multiple fact sheets or include formatting issues.

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Missing or Incomplete

Table of contents is missing or not usable.

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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.

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Exceeds Expectations

Each group member contributed a fact sheet; all sheets are visually and structurally consistent, with a unified layout and design.

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Meets Expectations

Each group member submitted a fact sheet; most use consistent formatting and structure.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Most group members submitted fact sheets, but some have noticeable formatting or design differences.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

One or more group members are missing fact sheets or sheets vary widely in design.

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Missing or Incomplete

Several fact sheets are missing or lack any attempt at consistency.

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Fact Sheet Title & Byline

My fact sheet includes a clear and specific title and my name as the author.

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Exceeds Expectations

Each fact sheet includes a clear, specific, and engaging title and the full name of the author.

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Meets Expectations

Title is specific, and the author is clearly listed.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Title and byline are present but may be vague or inconsistent in format

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Title or byline is missing or unclear.

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Missing or Incomplete

Title and byline is missing.

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Fact Sheet Introduction or Summary

My fact sheet explains why the topic matters (2–4 sentences).

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Exceeds Expectations

Introduction is concise, engaging, and clearly explains why the topic matters in 2–4 focused sentences.

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Meets Expectations

Introduction explains the importance of the topic in 2–4 sentences.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Introduction is present but may be too brief, too long, or unclear.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Introduction is confusing, poorly written, or lacks explanation of importance.

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Missing or Incomplete

No introduction or summary is provided.

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Fact Sheet Key Facts or Data Points

My fact sheet explains 3–5 essential facts in bullets, stats, or short paragraphs.

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Exceeds Expectations

Fact sheet presents 3–5 essential facts using clear bullets, statistics, or brief paragraphs; content is well-selected and relevant.

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Meets Expectations

Fact sheet includes 3–5 relevant facts in appropriate format.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Fewer than 3 or more than 5 facts, or the format lacks clarity.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Facts are vague, excessive, or poorly organized.

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Missing or Incomplete

No key facts or data points are provided.

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Fact Sheet Visuals

My fact sheet supports key points using charts, screenshots, or diagrams; place visuals near relevant text (in proximity).

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Exceeds Expectations

Visuals strongly support key points, are well-labeled, relevant, and placed close to related text.

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Meets Expectations

Visuals support the content and are placed near related text.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Visuals are included but may lack clarity or be placed ineffectively.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Visuals are present but decorative, irrelevant, unclear, or poorly integrated.

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Missing or Incomplete

Visuals are missing or do not support the content.

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Fact Sheet Headings/Subheadings

My fact sheet uses clear section headings for easy scanning, with the main heading as the largest and subheadings smaller.

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Exceeds Expectations

Clear, consistent headings make the sheet easy to scan; main headings stand out and subheadings are properly nested.

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Meets Expectations

Headings and subheadings are present and organized logically.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Some headings are missing or inconsistent in style or hierarchy.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Headings are hard to follow or not well differentiated.

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Missing or Incomplete

No headings or subheadings used.

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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.

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Exceeds Expectations

All sources are cited using a consistent and ethical format; full references, links, or footnotes are included.

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Meets Expectations

Most sources are cited accurately and ethically; consistent citation format is mostly used.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Some sources are cited, but formatting or consistency is weak.

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Needs Work to Meet Expectations

Citations are incomplete or inconsistently applied.

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Missing or Incomplete

Sources are missing, uncredited, or improperly cited.

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Fact Sheet Date

My fact sheet indicates when the fact sheet was created or updated.

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Exceeds Expectations

Each fact sheet clearly shows a creation or update date in a consistent format across the group.

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Meets Expectations

Date is included and correctly formatted.

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Almost Meets Expectations

Date is present but inconsistent or unclear.

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Missing or Incomplete

No date is provided.

Rubric

Find a Rubric

Title:

Title

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

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Description of criterion

Range

threshold: 5 pts

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5 pts

Full Marks

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0 pts

No Marks

pts

5 pts

Total Points: 5 out of 5