Distinguished - Identifies the required number of primary and secondary scholarly sources. Sources directly relate to the working thesis.

Proficient - Identifies the required number of primary and secondary scholarly sources.  Sources mostly relate to the working thesis. 

Basic - Identifies the required number of primary and secondary sources.  All sources may not be scholarly or may not relate to the working thesis. 

Below Expectations - Identifies fewer than the required number of primary and secondary sources. The sources are not scholarly and may not relate to the working thesis.

Non-Performance - The identification of primary and scholarly sources is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively summarizes the sources. 

Proficient - Summarizes the sources. Minor details are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the sources. Relevant details are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the sources; however, significant details are greatly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly explains how secondary sources support the working thesis.  

Proficient - Explains how secondary sources support the working thesis. Minor details are slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally explains how secondary sources support the working thesis. Relevant details are underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how secondary sources support the working thesis; however, significant details are underdeveloped and unclear.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how secondary sources support the working thesis is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - 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 - 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.