Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the reasoning behind the topic of choice for the Final Paper.

Proficient - Explains the reasoning behind the topic of choice for the Final Paper. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the reasoning behind the topic of choice for the Final Paper. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the reasoning behind the topic of choice for the Final Paper; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the reasoning behind the topic of choice for the Final Paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes what one plans to research about the topic.

Proficient - Summarizes what one plans to research about the topic. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes what one plans to research about the topic. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize what one plans to research about the topic; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of what one plans to research about the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains what one hopes to learn through the experience.

Proficient - Explains what one hopes to learn through the experience. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains what one hopes to learn through the experience. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain what one hopes to learn through the experience; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of what one hopes to learn through the experience is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Compiles a thorough, clear, and accurate annotated bibliography.

Proficient - Compiles an annotated bibliography. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Compiles a limited annotated bibliography. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compile an annotated bibliography; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The annotated bibliography 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.

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.