Distinguished - Creates a clear and comprehensive outline that includes headings and subheadings.

Proficient - Creates an outline that includes headings and subheadings. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Creates a limited outline that includes headings and subheadings. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create an outline that includes headings and subheadings; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The outline that includes headings and subheadings is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies the thesis or central argument in the outline.

Proficient - Identifies the thesis or central argument in the outline. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally identifies the thesis or central argument in the outline. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the thesis or central argument in the outline; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the thesis or central argument in the outline is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately outlines the main topics with support.

Proficient - Outlines the main topics with support. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially outlines the main topics with support. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the main topics with support; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The outline of the main topics with support is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly generates a list of three references planned to use.

Proficient - Generates a list of three references planned to use. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Generates a list of one or two references planned to use. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to generate a list of three references planned to use; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The list of three references planned to use 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 - 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.

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.