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

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

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - 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 - Comprehensively contrasts the different change forces affecting the social issue. The contrast is supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Contrasts the different change forces affecting the social issue. The contrast is supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially contrasts the different change forces affecting the social issue. The contrast is somewhat supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources and is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to contrast the different change forces affecting the social issue; however, the contrast is not supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The contrast of the different change forces affecting the social issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the various stakeholders and thoroughly assesses their influence on the issue and how they are affected by the issue. The discussion is supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Discusses the various stakeholders and assesses their influence on the issue and how they are affected by the issue. The discussion is supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources, but the discussion or assessment is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially discusses the various stakeholders and assesses their influence on the issue and how they are affected by the issue. The discussion is somewhat supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources, and/or the discussion and/or assessment is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the various stakeholders and assess their influence on the issue and how they are affected by the issue; however, the discussion is not supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources. The discussion and assessment are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the various stakeholders and assessment of their influence on the issue and how they are affected by the issue are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains potential solutions of the socioeconomic issue and thoroughly justifies the choice. The explanation and justification are supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Explains potential solutions of the socioeconomic issue and justifies the choice. The explanation and justification are supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources, but are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially explains potential solutions of the socioeconomic issue and justifies the choice. The explanation and justification are somewhat supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources, but are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain potential solutions of the socioeconomic issue and justifies the choice; however, the explanation and justification are not supported with relevant examples from scholarly sources and/or are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of potential solutions of the socioeconomic issue and justification the choice are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Creates meaningful correlations among experiences outside of the classroom to deepen understanding of field of study and to broaden own viewpoints.

Proficient - Compares life experiences and academic knowledge to distinguish differences and similarities while acknowledging perspectives other than own.

Basic - Recognizes correlation between life experiences, academic texts, and ideas perceived as similar and related to own interests.

Below Expectations - Briefly comments about connections between life experiences and academic texts.

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