English 575 Academic Goals Essay
The purpose of this academic goals essay is to practice the layout of a traditional college
essay. You will write a 1 to 2-page essay about something you should know a lot about:
you!
1) The first step will be to fill out the Academic Goals Form, which will direct you to
consider what your current academic goals are. These goals are specific to school and
don’t include your career goals. They could include what you would like to major in, what
school you would like to transfer to, what grade you would like to receive in a specific
class, what type of degree you would like to receive someday, what GPA you would like to
have, etc. After you have your 4 steps carefully chosen for each goal, you will evaluate the
goal by determining if the goal is measurable, realistic, challenging, etc. This form will be
turned in for a homework grade.
2) The next step is to write the essay. Keep in mind you will want to write your first
paragraph using the funnel method. This involves writing about yourself or goals in
general and gradually narrowing down the topic until you reveal your detailed thesis
statement at the conclusion of the first paragraph. You will then have 3 additional
paragraphs that discuss your 3 academic goals with the 4 specific steps you will take to
reach that goal and a 5th paragraph as the conclusion.
3) You will need to include 5 vocabulary words somewhere in your paper. Be sure to
BOLD the word and be sure to use the words correctly or your grade may be lowered as a
result.
(This essay will be worth 30 points under Tests/Quizzes.)
Note: Refer to the evaluation criteria (rubric) for your academic goals paper. This is how
your essay will be graded.
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Instructor: Joanne Chapman
Evaluation Criteria for Academic Goals Essay:
Content,
Structure, Style
Introduction and
Conclusion
Academic Goals
and Evaluation
of Goals (body)
Mechanics:
Punctuation,
Grammar, Spelling
Style: 12 pt. Times
New Roman font, 1
inch margins, double
spaced, 1 page
minimum
Vocabulary
Length
2
Exceeds Expectation (90%100%)
At Expectation (80%89%)
Below Expectation (7079%)
-Introduction is at least 4-5
sentences long, stating the
purpose of the paper with a
clear thesis statement
-conclusion summarized the
highlights of the paper and
draws a conclusion about the
academic goals shared.
Three academic goals are
presented, four steps needed
to take to achieve each goal
are presented, an evaluation of
the goals is present (specific,
measurable, challenging,
realistic and/or a completion
date).
Free from errors in grammar,
spelling and punctuation.
Introduction is 3-4
sentences long, simply
states the purpose of the
paper without any
background
information;
-Thesis is missing
-Conclusion is brief.
Less than three
academic goals are
presented,
-steps needed are not
complete
-an evaluation of the
goals is present but
brief.
May have 2 to 4 errors
Introduction is 1-2
sentences long,
-organization of the
paper is not made clear
to the reader
-no conclusion is
present.
Paper is written like an essay
with more than one page of
information, typed in 12 point
Times New Roman font, 1 inch
margins on the left, right, top
and bottom, correct MLA
heading.
-Includes 5 different
vocabulary words
-words are in bold and are
used correctly
-Paper is between 1 and 2
pages in length
Reads like bullet points
or answers to questions.
Double spaced, lacks 1
inch margins and/or
wrong font and/or not
typed, MLA mistakes
Not written like an
essay; simply states
information that is
random, lacks order.
Margins, font and
spacing is incorrect.
MLA is missing.
-includes 0 to 2
vocabulary words
-words not used
correctly or all
-Paper is under 1 page
in length
Instructor: Joanne Chapman
Includes 2-4 vocabulary
words, some words not
used correctly
-Paper is not between 1
and 2 pages in length
-Less than three
academic goals are
presented,
-many steps are missing
-an evaluation of the
goals is missing.
Paper has more than 5
errors
Academic Goals (Example)
I.
Improve my Grades
1. I will meet with a tutor if my grades start to slip.
2. I will keep to my study schedule.
3. I will work on my time management skills by using a to do list every day and use my date book.
4. I will meet with a study group.
II.
Pass my classes
1. In order to pass my class I will go to every class.
2. I will be on time.
3. I will do my homework.
4. I will study for tests.
III.
To Transfer
1. I will take my prerequisites
2. I will pass my classes with a B or better
3. I will visit with my counselor every semester.
4. I will find out what is needed at the university I am transferring to.
IV.
To get my degree in business
1. I will try to join a club on business club on campus.
2. I will transfer in 2 years to CSUF and major in business.
3. I will subscribe to a business magazine
4. I will look into internships in the area I could apply to.
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Instructor: Joanne Chapman
Academic Goals Essay Lesson Plan
Step One: Students actively read Kathleen McWhorter’s In Concert, Chapter
10 (Reading, Planning, and Organizing Essays).
Step Two: View Understanding Essays PowerPoint
Students practice writing outlines based on thesis sentences
presented.
Step Three: Academic Goals Essay
1. Review student explanation form and rubric
2. Academic Goals Form: Students fill out 3 goals, 4 steps and
evaluates whether or not the goal was measureable, specific,
challenging, realistic, etc.
3. Read sample essays, color coding key essay features (thesis
statement, conclusion, goals, steps, etc. )
4. Discussion: Students discuss their goals in groups and their steps
and offer advice or give feedback to group members
5. Rough Draft: Students write a first draft and participate in a peer
edit
6. Revision
7. Final Draft
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Instructor: Joanne Chapman