What makes a good HEFA report? Jennifer French

‘A technical report on a practical project involving data-gathering and analysis…which is structured correctly and which contains no plagiarised material’ Report specific to their test-pit Importance of both written descriptions and images What the report is not: An essay on the history of the village A diary account of the 3 days spent on the HEFA project A ‘group’ project- each report must be unique

108 marks possible divided up as follows: A. Report structuring and data presentation- 54 marks B. Research skills- 18 marks C. Writing skills- 18 marks D. IT skills- 18 marks

Background and contextual information. What is the history of the village? Why do we want to learn about rural Medieval settlement? Test-pit data Conclusions. What does your test- pit tell us about the village? How does your data link in with the background information given at the beginning?

A. Report structuring and data presentation

J1: Introduction and Background: summarise the previous state of knowledge of; 1) Medieval Rural Settlement studies; 2) The individual settlement where your excavation took place The introduction provides a clear and cogent summary of 1) the present state of knowledge of the development of rural settlement studies in the Medieval period including an explanation why there is a need for archaeological excavations to be carried out within CORS, and 2) the extent of previous archaeological and historical research into the settlement where the excavation took place. Sources used are completely and correctly references. Some original observations have been made, and there is evidence of original thinking.

J2. Aims: Describe 1) the overall aims of your test pit excavation- i.e. why it was carried out and what it was hoped this would reveal; 2) the specific achievable step-by-step objectives of the excavation Provides a very accurate, detailed, expansive and intelligible explanation of the aims of the excavation, detailing what information is being sought (mentioning a range of archaeological evidence), and clearly explaining the nested way in which the information will advance understanding of 1) when and how the individual site was used by humans in the past; 2) when and how the whole settlement developed in the past; and 3) the bigger picture of the development of rural settlement nationally since the end of the Roman period. Aims are related to the background information given in the introduction. The intended achievable objectives of the excavation are clearly listed/ described and the ways in which these would help achieve the aims explained.

J3. Methods: Describe in order the methods used to collect the data and achieve the project objectives (i.e. the methods used to excavate and record the data) The methods and equipment used in the test pit excavation have been described comprehensively with no omissions. The reasons why these methods were appropriate to the aims of the task have been clearly explained and related to the aims outlined in the introduction

J4. Location: Introduce your test pit, providing details of the location of the site using text and maps at different scales. Explain the reason for the pit being sited where it was The test pit number and address have been accurately given. Maps at 3 different scales (national map, village OS map and individual site sketch plan) have been used and annotated to show the exact location of the test pit. An NGR has been given and an aerial image has either been included or the reasons for its omission have been given. A detailed explanation of the reasons for siting it in this location are included.

J5. Data and results: Present the data derived from your test pit excavation objectively and in a logical order, context by context. Focus on observed facts not interpretation in this section. The data from the excavation is reported on with that from each layer presented separately, successively in the order in which they were excavated. Information provided includes detailed data on all recorded aspects of the physical appearance of each layer, a detailed description or tabulated list of all finds from it. A combination of plans, tables and photographs and text has been use. Clear, annotated accurately scaled plans of each context have been included. Clear, accurate, annotated drawings of all four sections are added at the end.

J6. Discussion and Conclusion: Give your interpretation of your data explaining what they reveal about the history of the site. Conclude with your evaluation of the extent to which the project aims were fulfilled and suggestions for future work. A detailed, intelligible, and evidence-based interpretation of the recovered data, explaining what his has revealed 1) about human use of the immediate area in which the pit was sited, including the dates at the site, intensity of use and the ways in which this appears to have changed over time 2) wider consideration of how the evidence from all the test pits has advanced understanding of the development of the settlement in the past, 3) a perceptive assessment of the extent to which the stated project aims were achieved and 4) recommendations for future work

C. Writing skills

L1. Correctly structured report: The report is structured entirely according to the guidelines (background, aims, methods, location, data and conclusions), with no sections omitted or incomplete. Written language conveys a sense of purpose and direction, linking one section to another in an effective way which aids understanding.

L3. Use of effective writing style Writing style is engaging while still be cogent and accurate in conveying and interpreting data. Writing form and style are adapted to suit different purposes (e.g. factual data presentation vs. more speculative analysis). A wide range of vocabulary (including specialised technical terms) has been used appropriately and to good effect. L2. Correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation Spelling, grammar and punctuation are almost always correct.

D. IT Skills

M1.Tables, images, maps and plans have been generated and included digitally Original tables, images, maps and plans have been created by the author making creative use of software features to convey information effectively and engagingly M2. Effective use of a word processing package to create a professional report The report digitally integrates information from many sources consistently well and uses layout devices such as justification, borders, titles, headings, text and graphics in a clear and consistent way to aid reader comprehension.

B. Research skills

K1. Consulting information sources: Appropriate external sources have been consulted to find relevant information about previous research into the site. The sources have been referenced correctly. K2. Analysing pre-existing information: The information gleaned from external sources has been analysed to identify relevant information and sorted into an order that enables its relevance to be understood. These sources have been referenced correctly

Consulting information sources: - Range of books and websites

Analysing pre-existing information: What should be included? CORS/DMVs- What are they and why do we study them? Origins of village/name Historical sources/maps Previous archaeological research (Both HEFA (if we’ve dug there before- data should be on website) and non- HEFA

“The sources have been referenced correctly” Non-plagiarised (non-verbatim), put into OWN words (unless included as a quotation) Reference given after each piece of information included from an external source. -Either numbered -Reference given in brackets Full bibliography (list of references) given at the back of the report

Low range descriptor (1-6 marks out of 18) No/little evidence of external sources having been consulted If some evidence, lack of ANY referencing to help the reader identify the sources Any information included discussed only in passing and/or incorrect

Middle range descriptor (7-12 marks out of 18) Evidence of some external sources having been consulted. Limited number and limited range. Some limited referencing to help the reader identify the sources. Often in-text citations OR a bibliography, but not both. Any information included discussed briefly, but may be lacking detail and/or original thoughts

High range descriptor (13-18 marks out of 18) Both a large number and a wide range (books and websites) of external sources consulted All sources fully referenced with in-text citations and a full bibliography included Any information included discussed intelligently and at length. Evidence of original thought and interpretation