Distinguished - Selects a topic from the approved topics list and includes credible sources that comprehensively and effectively outline that topic. All of the five sources selected are credible and relevant to the selected topic.

Proficient - Selects a topic from the approved topics list and includes credible sources that effectively outline that topic. One or two of the five sources selected might not be credible or entirely relevant to the selected topic.

Basic - Selects a topic from the approved topics list. Three or four of the five sources selected might not be credible or entirely relevant to selected topic.

Below Expectations - Selects a topic, but not one from the approved list. Fewer than three sources are selected and are not credible or relevant to the selected topic.

Non-Performance - The selection of an approved topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively identifies the primary audience for selected topic and includes a thorough analysis of audience size, geographic distribution, and the audience’s composition.

Proficient - Effectively identifies the primary audience for selected topic and includes an analysis of audience size, geographic distribution, and composition. The analysis may be slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies the primary audience for selected topic and includes an analysis of audience size, geographic distribution. The analysis of the audience’s composition is somewhat evident; however, the analysis lacks sufficient development.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the primary audience for selected topic and analyze audience size, geographic distribution, and composition; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of a primary audience is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and effectively gauges the audience members’ understanding of the selected topic which includes thorough explanation of how a particular audience might react, while clearly analyzing the audience’s expectations and preferences.

Proficient - Effectively gauges the audience members’ understanding of the selected topic which includes an explanation of how a particular audience might react, while analyzing the audience’s expectations and preferences. This information may be slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Gauges the audience members’ understanding of the selected topic which includes a brief explanation of how a particular audience might react, while also minimally analyzing the audience’s expectations and preferences; however this information is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to gauge the audience members’ understanding of the selected topic, explain how a particular audience might react, and analyze the audience’s expectations and preferences; however, this information is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The gauge of the audience members’ understanding of the selected topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author's explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message. Draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary but makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates an understanding of the multiple ways of reading and the range of interpretive strategies particular to a discipline or in a given community of readers.

Proficient - Demonstrates an ability to read purposefully, choosing among interpretive strategies depending on the purpose of the reading.

Basic - Identifies a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

Below Expectations - Fails to identify a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

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 words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.   

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