Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes each source’s thesis and/or main points in one paragraph.

Proficient - Summarizes each source’s thesis and/or main points in one paragraph. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes each source’s thesis and/or main points in one paragraph. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize each source’s thesis and/or main points in one paragraph; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of each source’s thesis and/or main points in one paragraph is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly evaluates the relevance of the data used to support the thesis of the source.

Proficient - Evaluates the relevance of the data used to support the thesis of the source. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the relevance of the data used to support the thesis of the source. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the relevance of the data used to support the thesis of the source; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the relevance of the data used to support the thesis of the source is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Briefly yet comprehensively critiques the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, and overall soundness of the article.

Proficient - Briefly critiques the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, and overall soundness of the article. The critique is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally critiques the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, and overall soundness of the article. The critique is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to critique the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, and overall soundness of the article; however, the critique is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The critique of the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, and overall soundness of the article is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains, in one to two sentences, how each source supports one’s own thesis and/or resolution.

Proficient - Explains, in one to two sentences, how each source supports one’s own thesis and/or resolution. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains, in one to two sentences, how each source supports one’s own thesis and/or resolution. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain, in one to two sentences, how each source supports one’s own thesis and/or resolution; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation, in one to two sentences, of how each source supports one’s own thesis and/or resolution is either nonexistent or lacks 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 words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

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

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

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.