Distinguished - Identifies a national or international political, social, or economic issue.

Non-Performance - The identification of a national or international political, social, or economic issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the presentation of the issue in current media systems and the issues associated with the message.

Proficient - Discusses the presentation of the issue in current media systems and the issues associated with the message. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally discusses the presentation of the issue in current media systems and the issues associated with the message. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the presentation of the issue in current media systems and the issues associated with the message; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the presentation of the issue in current media systems is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies the target audience for the mediated message that will be created about the issue.

Non-Performance - Identification of the target audience for the mediated message that will be created about the issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions. 

Distinguished - Chooses appropriate mainstream and social media outlets in which the message will appear and comprehensively discusses the rationale for choosing each medium. 

Proficient - Chooses mostly appropriate mainstream and social media outlets in which the message will appear and discusses the rationale for choosing each medium. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Chooses somewhat appropriate mainstream and social media outlets in which the message will appear and minimally discusses the rationale for choosing each medium. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to choose mainstream and social media outlets in which the message will appear and discuss the rationale for choosing each medium; however, the media outlets are not appropriate and/or significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The mainstream and social media outlets in which the message will appear and discusses the rationale for choosing each medium are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a highly developed message for a real-world, mainstream media outlet.

Proficient - Creates a message for a real-world, mainstream media outlet. Message is slightly underdeveloped.  

Basic - Creates a general message for a real-world, mainstream media outlet. Message is under-developed. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a message for a real-world, mainstream media outlet; however, the message is significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The creation of a message for a real-world, mainstream media outlet is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a clear and highly developed message for two types of social media that will be used to further the mediated message.

Proficient - Creates a clear message for two types of social media that will be used to further the mediated message. Message is slightly under-developed.  

Basic - Creates a general message for two types of social media that will be used to further the mediated message. Message is under-developed and lacks clarity. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a message for two types of social media that will be used to further the mediated message.. The message lacks organization, focus, and clarity. 

Non-Performance - The creation of a message for two types of social media that will be used to further the mediated message is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Adheres fully to the media project template.

Proficient - Adheres to the media project template. Minor errors are present.

Basic - Partially adheres to the media project template. Relevant errors are present.

Below Expectations - Attempts to adhere to the media project template; however, significant errors are present.

Non-Performance - Adherence to the media project template is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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

Distinguished - Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem. Identifies consequences of the solution and clearly communicates the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient - Carefully chooses among alternatives and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solve.

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 - 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.