Distinguished - Introduction clearly and accurately defines the humanities and includes a concise summary of their relevance to our lives.

Proficient - Introduction accurately defines the humanities and includes a concise summary of their relevance to our lives. Minor details are unclear.

Basic - Introduction defines the humanities and includes a summary of their relevance to our lives. Relevant details are unclear or inaccurate, and/or irrelevant details may be present.

Below Expectations - Introduction attempts to define the humanities and include a summary of their relevance to our lives; however, the definition is unclear or inaccurate, and the summary includes several irrelevant details.

Non-Performance - The introduction does not attempt to define the humanities and does not include a summary of their relevance to our lives. 

Distinguished - Gives a concise but thorough summary of one framework in the humanities, fully explaining why it is considered part of the humanities, what distinguishes it from other humanities disciplines, and why it is a good framework for interpreting the chosen text.

Proficient - Gives a summary of one framework in the humanities, explaining why it is considered part of the humanities, what distinguishes it from other humanities disciplines, and why it is a good framework for interpreting the chosen text.

Basic - Gives an incomplete summary of one framework in the humanities; but only partially explains why the framework is considered part of the humanities, what distinguishes it from other humanities, or why it is a good framework for interpreting the chosen text. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to give a summary of one humanities framework; but does not explain why it is considered a part of the humanities, what distinguishes it from other humanities disciplines, and why it is a good framework for interpreting the chosen text. 

Non-Performance - Does not attempt to summarize or explain a humanities framework.

Distinguished - Gives an insightful interpretation of the chosen text using the specific framework selected, focusing primarily on the aspects of the text that are relevant to life in modern society.

Proficient - Gives a sufficient interpretation of the chosen text using the specific framework selected and discussing aspects of the text that are relevant to life in modern society.

Basic - Gives a superficial interpretation of the chosen text using the specific framework selected and mentioning the aspects of the text that are relevant to life in modern society.

Below Expectations - Attempts to give an interpretation of the chosen text using the specific framework selected, but interpretation may summarize rather than interpret and/or does not mention the aspects of the text that are relevant to life in modern society.

Non-Performance - Summarizes rather than interprets the chosen text; or interpretation does not utilize a framework from the course; and/or interpretation does not mention the aspects of the text that are relevant to modern society. 

Distinguished - Conclusion fully summarizes how the chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities as stated in the introduction and also how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as summarized it in the introduction.

Proficient - Conclusion sufficiently summarizes how the chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities as stated in the introduction and also how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as summarized it in the introduction; some minor details may be missing.

Basic - Conclusion minimally summarizes how the chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities as stated in the introduction and also how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as summarized it in the introduction; relevant details may be missing.

Below Expectations - Conclusion attempts to summarize how the chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities as stated in the introduction and/or how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as summarized it in the introduction; summary may be inaccurate or incomplete.

Non-Performance - Conclusion does not attempt to summarize how the chosen text fits into the definition of the humanities as stated in the introduction or how it serves as an example of the humanities’ relevance to our lives as summarized it in the introduction. 

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.