Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communication outlined in Bevan and Sole. The significance of each principle is exceptionally well-developed. Barriers are listed and ways to overcome the barriers are thoroughly explained.

Proficient - Explains the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communication outlined in Bevan and Sole. The significance of each principle is well-developed. Barriers are listed and ways to overcome the barriers are explained. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communication outlined in Bevan and Sole. The significance of each principle is somewhat developed. Barriers are listed and ways to overcome the barriers are minimally explained. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communication outlined in Bevan and Sole; however, does not address the significance of each principle and explain ways to overcome the listed barriers. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the principles of and barriers to competent/effective interpersonal communication outlined in Bevan and Sole is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Defines all key terms, comprehensively analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem, and thoroughly explains the relationship between psychology and communication as well as its importance.

Proficient - Defines most of the key terms; analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem; and explains the relationship between psychology and communication as well as its importance. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Defines some of the key terms; and partially analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem; and minimally explains the relationship between psychology and communication as well as its importance. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define all key terms; analyze the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem; and explain the relationship between psychology and communication as well as its importance; however,  significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The definition of key terms; analysis of the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem; and explanation of the relationship between psychology and communication as well as its importance are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively defines self-disclosure, and thoroughly explains when it could be beneficial or harmful to various relationships.  Experts are drawn on to support all key claims, and mastery of course content is illustrated.  May or may not address emotional intelligence.

Proficient - Defines self-disclosure, and explains when it could be beneficial or harmful to various relationships.  Experts are drawn on to support some key claims, and good understanding of course content is illustrated.  May or may not address emotional intelligence.

Basic - Partially defines self-disclosure, and minimally explains when it could be beneficial or harmful to various relationships.  Experts are partially drawn on to support claims, and some understanding of course content is illustrated.  May or may not address emotional intelligence.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define self-disclosure and explain when it could be beneficial or harmful to various relationships; however, experts are not sufficiently drawn on to support claims, and minimal understanding of course content is illustrated.  May or may not address emotional intelligence.

Non-Performance - The definition of self-disclosure and explanation of when it could be beneficial or harmful to various relationships are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the relationships between culture and communication, culture and gender, and gender and communication, including a comprehensive awareness of gender and culture can help us become more effective communicators.

Proficient - Analyzes the relationships between culture and communication, culture and gender, and gender and communication, including an awareness of gender and culture can help us become better communicators.  Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially analyzes the relationships between culture and communication, culture and gender, and gender and communication, including a limited awareness of gender and culture can help us become better communicators.  Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the relationships between culture and communication, culture and gender, and gender and communication; however, does not include any awareness of gender and culture can help us become better communicators, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the relationships between culture and communication, culture and gender, and gender and communication, including an awareness of gender and culture can help us become better communicators is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - The paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.