Distinguished - Develops a comprehensive introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper.

Proficient - Develops an introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Develops a limited introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop an introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction with a thesis statement for the Final Paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a thorough outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading.

Proficient - Creates an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Creates a limited outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a references page with at least five reliable and appropriate scholarly sources used in the Final Paper.

Proficient - Provides a references page for at least five sources used in the Final Paper. One or two of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate.

Basic - Provides a references page for the sources used in the Final Paper. One or two of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate, or fewer than five sources are provided.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a references page for the sources used in the Final Paper; however, one or more of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate, and/or fewer than four sources are provided.

Non-Performance - The references page 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 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.