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. One or more of 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 - Comprehensively analyzes if the contracts with the businesses will be governed by common law or the UCC and explains why.

Proficient - Analyzes if the contracts with the businesses will be governed by common law or the UCC and explains why. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes if the contracts with the businesses will be governed by common law or the UCC and explains why. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze if the contracts with the businesses will be governed by common law or the UCC and explain why; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of if the contracts with the businesses will be governed by common law or the UCC and explanation of why are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes whether the owner formed a contract with the businesses.

Proficient - Analyzes whether the owner formed a contract with the businesses. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes whether the owner formed a contract with the businesses. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze whether the owner formed a contract with the businesses; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of whether the owner formed a contract with the businesses is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly applies the five essential elements of an enforceable contract.

Proficient - Applies the five essential elements of an enforceable contract. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally applies at least three of the essential elements of an enforceable contract. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply at least two of the essential elements of an enforceable contract; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The application of the five essential elements of an enforceable contract is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the potential personal liability to Acme Fireworks if a spectator is injured by a stray firework from a fireworks display.

Proficient - Explains the potential personal liability to Acme Fireworks if a spectator is injured by a stray firework from a fireworks display. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the potential personal liability to Acme Fireworks if a spectator is injured by a stray firework from a fireworks display. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the potential personal liability to Acme Fireworks if a spectator is injured by a stray firework from a fireworks display; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the potential personal liability to Acme Fireworks if a spectator is injured by a stray firework from a fireworks display is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the different employment types and relationships relevant to agency law.

Proficient - Discusses the different employment types and relationships relevant to agency law. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses the different employment types and relationships relevant to agency law. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the different employment types and relationships relevant to agency law; however, the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the different employment types and relationships relevant to agency law is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each employment type specific to Acme Fireworks.

Proficient - Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each employment type specific to Acme Fireworks. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each employment type specific to Acme Fireworks. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each employment type specific to Acme Fireworks; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each employment type specific to Acme Fireworks is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains why Acme Fireworks should not operate as a sole proprietorship.

Proficient - Explains why Acme Fireworks should not operate as a sole proprietorship. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains why Acme Fireworks should not operate as a sole proprietorship. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain why Acme Fireworks should not operate as a sole proprietorship; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of why Acme Fireworks should not operate as a sole proprietorship is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough recommendation of a new business entity and rationale to support the recommendation.

Proficient - Provides a recommendation of a new business entity and rationale to support the recommendation. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited recommendation of a new business entity and rationale to support the recommendation. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a recommendation of a new business entity and rationale to support the recommendation; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The recommendation of a new business entity and rationale to support the recommendation are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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 - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Analyzes texts for scholarly significance and pertinence within and across various disciplines, assessing them according to their contributions and consequences.

Proficient - Utilizes texts in the context of scholarship to expand a foundation of disciplinary knowledge and to raise and discover significant inquiries.

Basic - Employs texts with the intent and expectation of increasing knowledge.

Below Expectations - Approaches texts only within the context of assignment.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the 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.