Advanced Proficient Developing Minimally Satisfactory/Unsatis

● Develops a focused main idea through ● Introduces a topic sentence that is one ● Introduces a topic sentence, but it ● Presents no main idea, the main
confident structure, moving from the focused and clearly identifiable main presents an unfocused, incomplete, or indistinguishable from support, o
t: first sentence to the last with purpose. idea. overly simple main idea. nonsensical.
● Elevates ideas by weaving together ● Develops the main idea with reasons, ● Contains some relevant support, but ● Does not develop the main idea o
ph
concrete details with insightful analysis. details, and/or examples. support may be repetitive, unclear, or relevant support.
● Concludes logically. ineffective. ● Ends without concluding.
● Concludes formally, but not logically.
Freshman Seminar Writing Rubric- Adapted for the Paragraph Assignment

Advanced Proficient Developing Minimally Satisfactory/Unsatis

● At a paragraph level, sentences work
together to support and develop the
main idea. Main ideas stand out.
tion
● Ideas are clearly connected between
and within sentences.
● The paragraph is coherent and focused ● The paragraphs may lack focus or ● The paragraph is not focused or
around one central idea. coherence. ● The connections between ideas
● Ideas are connected between and ● The connections between and within clear.
within sentences. sentences are often unclear.

● The ideas are consistently expressed in
an authentic, authoritative voice.
● All information from outside sources is
quoted or accurately paraphrased.
mic
● All sources cited in the piece are
y
included in a list of references.
● The piece is properly formatted
according to APA style.
● The student expresses ideas in an
authentic voice.
● All sources are cited in the text and
referenced in the bibliography.
● There is proper use of APA style.
● Ideas are summarized, paraphrased, or
quoted, but some wording may be too
close to the source.
● Authentic voice is inconsistent.
● Some sources may lack
acknowledgement in the text or in the
bibliography.
● The wording of some ideas may be too
close to the source.
● There is no evidence of copying and
pasting.
● The authentic voice of the ideas
absent.
● Most of the sources lack acknow
in the text and in the bibliograph
● Wording tends to be too close to
source.
● There is evidence of copying and

Language is fluent and accurate as Language is mostly accurate as Language contains noticeable errors, Language contains noticeable error
demonstrated through use of: demonstrated through use of: which occasionally interfere with consistently interferes with compre
comprehension, in the use of: the use of:
e& ● Sentence structure ● Sentence structure
ics ● Grammar ● Grammar ● Sentence structure ● Sentence structure
● Vocabulary ● Vocabulary ● Grammar ● Grammar
● Spelling and punctuation ● Spelling and punctuation ● Vocabulary ● Vocabulary
● Spelling and punctuation ● Spelling and punctuation

I believe the core purpose of education is to help people determine how to learn
independently. Some self-directed learning factors are being able to make informed choices
and taking responsibility for your learning activities. Moreover, it may help students feel
more "in control" of what they are doing since independent learning is considered a way of
setting their goals and preferences, organizing themselves, and evaluating their use of time
and work. Education is not only about how to cram material and pass many exams but also
about analyzing your abilities and individual qualities. Students can find their own learning
method since someone can better assimilate material by making notes with multi-colored
pens underlining key moments or verbally repeating new information. So, self-study can
boost student's self-esteem, as they can see themselves as independent people who can
learn new things and make choices without anyone helping them. This can be a significant
motivation boost for students. To conclude, one of education aims to teach students to
monitor and evaluate their own academic development and manage their motivation
towards learning.

Interesting and well-developed paragraph. As I read, I wondered if you were going off-topic.
Then I supposed you weren’t. But I think a more detailed topic sentence could make it
clearer for the reader. Go ahead and lead with why independent learning is important. A-