$1\mathrm{.}1$ Task

Requirements engineering forms a crucial component of software engineering. Justify this statement.

$1\mathrm{.}2$ Submission

Your essay should be $1500-2000$ words and be well structured as follows:

Introduction

A more detailed introduction to the question$/$problem and its context.

Main Body

A clear structured main body, comprising linked subsections, discusses and explores the main thesis. This should be supported by some realistic examples

Conclusion

A concluding statement what were you draw together your findings, based on the sections in your main body, and outline the implications of these.

References

Your essay should be well researched, well referenced and use the Harvard referencing system.

$1\mathrm{.}3$ Marking Criteria

Criteria A$+/$A$/$A$-$ B$+/$B$/$B$-$ C$+/$C$/$C$-$ D$/$E F

Structure and organisation

Weighting $10\%$ Coherent and well structured. Develops a logical argument and marshals ideas clearly. Material not directly related to the flow of the argument confined to footnotes. Could be better organized by sequencing some of the materials more appropriately.

Argument obscured by repetition or lapses in organisation.

Frequently deviates from a clear line. Fails to develop any clear theme or line of argument.

Critical analysis and originality

Weighting $15\%$ Creative approach to question; clear evidence of imagination and flexibility of thought; critical and wide$-$ranging use of relevant literature.

Approach to question is well informed, showing evidence of good understanding of sources and critical thought.

Competent use of written sources with some attempt at analysis.

Limited grasp of basic issues around the topic, with emphasis on $$paraphrasing$$ of sources rather than $$discussion$.$ Derivative, over$-$reliant on undigested source materials; no attempt at critical discussion.

Use of evidence

Weighting $15\%$ Excellent use of relevant evidence, thoughtfully selected, from a variety of sources.

The evidence included was relevant to the essay, but limited range of sources employed.

Lacking or inappropriate evidence in some places. Relevance of some evidence presented is not clearly demonstrated.

Often reliant on unsupported assertion or irrelevant material.

Biased use of evidence; essay contains high proportion of irrelevant material.

Conclusion

Weighting $20\%$ Well$-$defined concluding section which recapitulates the important points made in the body of the essay and provides a summary analysis of the material.

Competent attempt to recapitulate the main points raised in the essay, but limited analytical focus.

Recapitulation of the main points, but devoid of analysis.

Rather brief and formalised concluding section.

The essay ends abruptly and without an appropriate concluding section.

Introduction

Weighting $20\%$ Introduction demonstrates an excellent grasp of the question and provides a clear outline of scope of the essay.

Introduction shows a good grasp of the question and an attempt to define the scope of the essay.

Introduction rather perfunctory and limited to an attempt to define the scope of the essay.

Introduction demonstrates an incomplete grasp of the question.

Absence of any introduction to the essay; instead launches straight in with no attempt to introduce and define the topic. Question may have been misunderstood.

Use of References

Weighting $20\%$ Extensive bibliography covering all the main sources. Clear and precise references.

Bibliography covers most sources; references largely complete and accurate.

Some sources used, but important omissions. References often inaccurate.

Not many references to the literature, and referencing usually inadequate where attempted.

Bibliography, referencing and footnotes virtually non$-$existent.