Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies the selected film, including writer, director, year of release, and genre.

Proficient - Identifies the selected film, including writer, director, year of release, and genre. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely identifies the selected film, including writer, director, year of release, and genre. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the selected film, including writer, director, year of release, and genre; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the selected film, including writer, director, year of release, and genre is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes the film and the difference between the film’s story and its plot.

Proficient - Summarizes the film and the difference between the film’s story and its plot. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the film and the difference between the film’s story and its plot. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the film and the difference between the film’s story and its plot; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of the film and the difference between the film’s story and its plot is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly, clearly, and accurately defines one of the broad theories.

Proficient - Defines one of the broad theories. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially defines one of the broad theories. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define one of the broad theories; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The definition of one of the broad theories is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the selected film through the lens of the chosen theory.

Proficient - Analyzes the selected film through the lens of the chosen theory. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the selected film through the lens of the chosen theory. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the selected film through the lens of the chosen theory; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the selected film through the lens of the chosen theory is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly evaluates three specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they contribute to the overarching narrative and theme of the film.

Proficient - Evaluates three specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they contribute to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally evaluates at least two specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they contribute to the overarching narrative and theme of the film. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate three specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they contribute to the overarching narrative and theme of the film; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of three specific techniques and design elements employed in the film as they contribute to the overarching narrative and theme of the film.is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the connection between this film and society, and draws detailed conclusions about its impact.

Proficient - Describes the connection between this film and society, and draws conclusions about its impact. Minor details are missing, or the conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes the connection between this film and society, and draws limited conclusions about its impact. Relevant details are missing, and/or the conclusion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the connection between this film and society and draw conclusions about its impact; however, significant details are missing, and the conclusion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the connection between this film and society and the conclusion about its impact are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

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

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The 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 - 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.