Distinguished - Includes a comprehensive introduction paragraph and thesis statement to clearly identify the purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Includes an introduction paragraph and thesis statement to identify the purpose of the paper. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Includes a partial introduction paragraph and thesis statement to identify the purpose of the paper. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an introduction paragraph and thesis statement to accurately identify the purpose of the paper; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The introduction paragraph and thesis statement to identify the purpose of the paper are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately lists resources in the annotated bibliography that summarize and support the thesis.

Proficient - Lists resources in the annotated bibliography that summarize and support the thesis. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially lists resources in the annotated bibliography that summarize and support the thesis. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to list resources in the annotated bibliography that summarize and support the thesis; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The listing of resources in the annotated bibliography that summarize and support the thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a clear, brief outline.

Proficient - Includes a brief outline. Minor details are slightly unclear.

Basic - Includes a vague, brief outline. Relevant details are unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a brief outline; however, significant details are unclear.

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

Distinguished - Includes a comprehensive list of questions about the final paper, or clearly states a full understanding.

Proficient - Includes a list of questions about the final paper, or states a full understanding. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Includes a partial list of questions about the final paper, or vaguely states a full understanding. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a list of questions about the final paper or state a full understanding; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The list of questions about the final paper or statement of a full understanding are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly indicates planned future steps necessary to complete the assignment.

Proficient - Indicates planned future steps necessary to complete the assignment. Minor details are slightly unclear.

Basic - Vaguely indicates planned future steps necessary to complete the assignment. Relevant details are unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to indicate planned future steps necessary to complete the assignment; however, significant details are unclear.

Non-Performance - The planned future steps necessary to complete the assignment are either nonexistent or lack 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 - 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.

Distinguished - Clearly summarizes the required number of scholarly references, in addition to the text. The described references visibly relate to the stated thesis or central argument.

Proficient - Summarizes the required number of scholarly references, in addition to the text. The described references appear to relate generally to the stated thesis or central argument.

Basic - Summarizes the required number of scholarly references, in addition to the text. The described references appear to relate to the stated thesis or central argument, but do not have sufficient annotations to describe their contents.

Below Expectations - Summarizes almost the required number of scholarly references and may describe references that are not scholarly. 

Non-Performance - The references are either nonexistent, entirely unscholarly, or otherwise inapplicable to the assignment.