Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes the issue.

Proficient - Describes the issue. Minor details are slightly unclear or missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the issue. Relevant details are unclear and/or missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the issue; however, significant details are unclear and missing.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively defines positions.

Proficient - Defines positions. Minor details are slightly unclear or missing.

Basic - Minimally defines positions. Relevant details are unclear and/or missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define positions; however, significant details are unclear and missing.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates evidence.

Proficient - Evaluates evidence. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally evaluates evidence. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate evidence; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly compares positions.

Proficient - Compares positions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally compares positions. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare positions; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains one’s personal position.

Proficient - Explains one’s personal position. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains one’s personal position. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain one’s personal position; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of one’s personal position is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Draws appropriate conclusions and thoroughly discusses further questions.

Proficient - Draws conclusions and discusses further questions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Draws limited conclusions and minimally discusses further questions. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to draw conclusions and discuss further questions; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The discussion of conclusions and further questions 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.