Q Thematic Essay: An Autobiography of Motivation Topic: Describe some of the experiences and motivations guiding your decision to pursue your degree and your life goals related to higher education. Incorporate concepts and themes discussed by Gardner (required), and either Pink (2009) or Goldstein (2011). You may discuss all three, and other sources if you wish. Guidelines: Submissions should be between 600-800 words. Include in-text citations and a references page listing, in APA format, the sources used in your essay. (Word count does not include the cover page or the list of references) Assessment: Your essay will be graded based on three criteria: • Composition (clarity of writing, well-structured paragraphs, etc. Use Grammarly Links to an external site. to check your writing for errors and suggestions for improvement. o Create a new Grammarly account: ? Go to the following website: https://www.grammarly.com/edu/signupLinks to an external site. ? Make sure and use our OU email address ? Use this access code: zZmZRFHEs56uitei o Log into an existing Grammarly account: https://www.grammarly.com/edu/signinLinks to an external site. • For more information on composition expectations and a self-check resource for assessing your work, consult the Essay Composition Rubric Download Essay Composition Rubric); • Style (effective use of APA citation when referring to course materials); • Substance and depth (your understanding of the assigned materials based on accurate summarization and paraphrasing, and drawing connections between the materials and personal reflection.) Submit the essay on a word document in APA format. Include an APA cover page and a reference page. Be sure to check your in-text citations and references using the APA guide to ensure you are formatting the sources correctly. The correct format of your sources elevates your writing to graduate level writing. Rubric Thematic Essay Rubric (Units 1, 2, and 4) Thematic Essay Rubric (Units 1, 2, and 4) Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Development 15 to >12.0 pts Excellent Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to illustrate mastery of the topic, conveying understanding, and shaping the whole essay. Connections between essay content and personal reflection are strong. 12 to >7.5 pts Good Uses appropriate, relevant, and compelling content to explore ideas within the context of the topic and shape the whole essay. Connections between essay content and personal reflection are adequate. 7.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Uses appropriate and relevant content to develop and explore ideas through most of the essay. Connections between essay content and personal reflection are acceptable. 3 to >0 pts Beginning Uses appropriate and relevant content to develop simple ideas in some parts of the essay. Connections between essay content and personal reflection are weak or missing. 15 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContext and Purpose 10 to >8.0 pts Excellent Demonstrates a thorough understanding of context, audience, and purpose that is responsive and focuses all elements of the essay. 8 to >5.0 pts Good Demonstrates adequate consideration of context, audience, and purpose and a clear focus on the topic in the essay. 5 to >2.0 pts Fair Demonstrates awareness of context, audience, and purpose of the topic in the essay. 2 to >0 pts Beginning Demonstrates minimal attention to context, audience, or purpose of the essay. 10 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSources and Evidence 10 to >8.0 pts Excellent Demonstrates skillful use of the assigned sources and other relevant scholarly sources to develop and support appropriate ideas in the essay. 8 to >5.0 pts Good Demonstrates consistent use of the assigned sources to support appropriate ideas in the essay. 5 to >2.0 pts Fair Demonstrates an attempt to use the assigned sources to support ideas in the essay. 2 to >0 pts Beginning Few or no attempts to use sources to support ideas in the essay were made. 10 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar, Style, and Composition 5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses graceful, academically appropriate language that skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free. APA style is correct throughout the essay. The word count requirement (600-800 words) was met. 4 to >2.5 pts Good Uses straightforward, academically appropriate language that generally conveys meaning to readers and has few errors. APA style is mostly correct throughout the essay. The word count requirement (600-800 words) was met. 2.5 to >1.0 pts Fair Uses language that generally conveys meaning to readers with clarity, although writing may include some errors. APA style is correct about half the time in the essay. The word count requirement (600-800 words) may or may not have been met. 1 to >0 pts Beginning Uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage. APA style is largely missing from the essay. The word count requirement (600-800 words) was not met. 5 pts Total Points: 40