Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately addresses all the required components for the Problem section.

Proficient - Addresses the required components for the Problem section. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Addresses some of the required components for the Problem section. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to address the required components for the Problem section; however significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately addresses all the required components for the Background Overview section.

Proficient - Addresses the required components for the Background Overview section. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Addresses some of the required components for the Background Overview section. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to address the required components for the Background Overview section; however significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately addresses all the required components for the Research Results section.

Proficient - Addresses the required components for the Research Results section. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Addresses some of the required components for the Research Results section. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to address the required components for the Research Results section; however significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately addresses all the required components for the Solutions section.

Proficient - Addresses the required components for the Solutions section. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Addresses some of the required components for the Solutions section. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to address the required components for the Solutions section; however significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately addresses all the required components for the Recommendations section.

Proficient - Addresses the required components for the Recommendations section. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Addresses some of the required components for the Recommendations section. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to address the required components for the Recommendations section; however significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The Recommendations section 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 - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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.