Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes what is known and what has been researched in the field surrounding the topic of choice.

Proficient - Summarizes what is known and what has been researched in the field surrounding the topic of choice. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes what is known and what has been researched in the field surrounding the topic of choice. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize what is known and what has been researched in the field surrounding the topic of choice; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of what is known and what has been researched in the field surrounding the topic of choice is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately selects one of the issues, questions, or debates identified.

Proficient - Selects one of the issues, questions, or debates identified. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially selects one of the issues, questions, or debates identified. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to select one of the issues, questions, or debates identified; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The selection of one of the issues, questions, or debates identified is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately supports all analysis and argumentation with relevant theory, argumentation, evidence, and research provided in the course and outside resources.

Proficient - Supports all analysis and argumentation with relevant theory, argumentation, evidence, and research provided in the course and outside resources. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially supports all analysis and argumentation with relevant theory, argumentation, evidence, and research provided in the course and outside resources. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to support all analysis and argumentation with relevant theory, argumentation, evidence, and research provided in the course and outside resources; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The support of all analysis and argumentation with relevant theory, argumentation, evidence, and research provided in the course and outside resources 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.