Distinguished - Comprehensively outlines a plan for discussing all five learning objectives with evidence to support all key points.  The significance and importance of the learning objectives are exceptionally well-developed.

Proficient - Substantively outlines a plan for discussing all five learning objectives with evidence to support most of the key points.  The significance and importance of at least three learning objectives are well-developed.

Basic - Partially outlines a plan for discussing all five learning objectives with some evidence to support few key points.  The significance and importance of the ideas are well developed.

Below Expectations - Outlines a plan for discussing fewer than five learning objectives with little to no evidence to support the key points.  The significance and importance of the ideas is not well developed. 

Non-Performance - The plan for discussing all learning objectives is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are thorough and comprehensive.  The conclusion restates the thesis and reiterates key points.

Proficient - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are mostly thorough and comprehensive. The conclusion restates the thesis and reiterates key points.  Minor details are missing.

Basic - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are somewhat thorough and/or comprehensive.  The conclusion somewhat restates the thesis and reiterates key points.  Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are not thorough or comprehensive, and the conclusion does not restate the thesis or reiterate key points. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The paper is written in outline form with all headings listing each learning objective. Each section has  a topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanation of evidence,, and rationale of why the content matters.

Proficient - The paper is written in outline form with most headings listing each learning objective.  Each section has a topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanation of evidence, and rationale about why the content matters. Minor details are missing.

Basic - The paper is written in outline form with some headings listing some learning objectives.  Each section may not include the topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanation of evidence, and/or rationale about why the content matters. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - The paper is not entirely written in outline form and is missing headings listing each learning objective.  Each section does not include. the topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanation of the evidence, and rationale about why the content matters. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The paper is not written in outline form. The topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanations of evidence, and rationale of why the content matters are 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 - 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.