Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies the topic of the paper with a fully developed thesis statement.

Proficient - Identifies the topic of the paper with a thesis statement. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely identifies the topic of the paper with a minimally developed thesis statement. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the topic of the paper; however, does not include a thesis statement, and/or significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the topic of the paper with a thesis statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes the chosen topic.

Proficient - Summarizes the chosen topic. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the chosen topic. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the chosen topic; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the empirical research on the chosen topic.

Proficient - Analyzes the empirical research on the chosen topic. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the empirical research on the chosen topic. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the empirical research on the chosen topic; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the empirical research on the chosen topic 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.