Sorting
Overview
You should start this group activity by introducing each member of the group.
There are two parts to this activity:
Sorting Words
Your group will be given approximately 100 words. You are to sort them into alphabetical order. You should arrange the words in such a way that your group can answer questions such as
The success of your work will be judged on whether you can correctly answer most of these questions. However, you must also finish the task in about 15 minutes.
Specifying an Algorithm
Each group must prepare one write-up as described below. Be sure that each group member's name is on the write-up.
You are to write an explanation of how to sort a list of words. Assume that the number of words isn't known in advance, but will be between 10 and 600. You are to write an algorithm in English that specifies precisely how to sort the words. Another group will be using your algorithm, and following the instructions literally. This means that you must convey exactly what you steps to follow. Members of a group following instructions must act intelligently, but cannot guess what is meant if something is unclear. Instead, unclear instructions should be noted, and the group writing the algorithm asked to clarify what is not clear.
Questions
You can refuse to answer two of the questions below. The questions refer to the "sorted" list of words.