Distinguished - Thoroughly outlines the introduction, indicating the topic that will be explored in the paper and asserting a tentative thesis statement.

Proficient - Outlines the introduction, indicating the topic that will be explored in the paper and asserting a tentative thesis statement. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally outlines the introduction, indicating the topic that will be explored in the paper and asserting a tentative thesis statement. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the introduction, indicate the topic that will be explored in the paper, and assert a tentative thesis statement; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the introduction, indicating the topic that will be explored in the paper and asserting a tentative thesis statement, is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly outlines the first body paragraph, identifying the first article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis

Proficient - Outlines the first body paragraph, identifying the first article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally outlines the first body paragraph, identifying the first article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the first body paragraph, identifying the first article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the first body paragraph, identifying the first article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly outlines the second body paragraph, identifying the second article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis.

Proficient - Outlines the second body paragraph, identifying the second article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally outlines the second body paragraph, identifying the second article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the second body paragraph, identifying the second article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the second body paragraph, identifying the second article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly outlines the third body paragraph, identifying the third article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis.

Proficient - Outlines the third body paragraph, identifying the third article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally outlines the third body paragraph, identifying the third article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the third body paragraph, identifying the third article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the third body paragraph, identifying the third article and the plan to describe the perspective presented in the article, summarizing the article’s findings on the identified topic, and showing how the article’s perspective contributes to the overall thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly outlines the conclusion paragraph, connecting the ideas presented to show why the topic is an important one.

Proficient - Outlines the conclusion paragraph, connecting the ideas presented to show why the topic is an important one. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally outlines the conclusion paragraph, connecting the ideas presented to show why the topic is an important one. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline the conclusion paragraph, connecting the ideas presented to show why the topic is an important one; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the conclusion paragraph, connecting the ideas presented to show why the topic is an important one, 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 - 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.