Distinguished - Thesis is exceptionally well-designed, and focus is considerably more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and expertly argues a position. Firm and succinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development. 

Proficient - Thesis is well-designed, and focus is more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and clearly argues a position. Distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development. 

Basic - Thesis is adequately designed. Focus is more developed than the general topic, but is vague or unclear. Thesis concerns one specific idea. Thesis either neglects to argue a position or no distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.  

Below Expectations - Introduction and thesis statement are present, though incomplete. The direction and purpose of the paper is unclear. 

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis statement are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how the French Revolution and the ideas of the Enlightenment contributed to the Haitian Revolution.

Proficient - Explains how the French Revolution and the ideas of the Enlightenment contributed to the Haitian Revolution. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains how the French Revolution and the ideas of the Enlightenment contributed to the Haitian Revolution. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the French Revolution and ideas of the Enlightenment contributed to the Haitian Revolution; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the French Revolution and the ideas of the Enlightenment contributed to the Haitian Revolution is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly compares the goals of the five different groups in Haiti pertaining to the Revolution.

Proficient - Compares the goals of the five different groups in Haiti pertaining to the Revolution. The comparison is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Partially compares the goals of the five different groups in Haiti pertaining to the Revolution.  The comparison is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare the goals of the five different groups in Haiti pertaining to the Revolution; however, the comparison is significantly underdeveloped and unclear.

Non-Performance - The comparison of the goals of the five different groups in Haiti pertaining to the Revolution is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the success, impact, and legacy of the Haitian Revolution.

Proficient - Analyzes the success, impact, and legacy of the Haitian Revolution. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped or contains minor errors.

Basic - Partially analyzes the success, impact, and legacy of the Haitian Revolution. The analysis is underdeveloped and/or contains errors.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the success, impact, and legacy of the Haitian Revolution; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped and contains significant errors.

Non-Performance - This analysis of the success, impact, and legacy of the Haitian Revolution is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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 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.