Distinguished - Clearly and accurately examines the role of intelligence in countering terrorism in America.

Proficient - Clearly examines the role of intelligence in countering terrorism in America. Minor details are slightly inaccurate or underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially examines the role of intelligence in countering terrorism in America. Relevant details are unclear, underdeveloped, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to examine  the role of intelligence in countering terrorism in America; however, significant details are unclear, underdeveloped, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The examination of the role of intelligence in countering terrorism in America is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses the constitutional issues surrounding the concept of gathering information to develop intelligence domestically.

Proficient - Discusses the constitutional issues surrounding the concept of gathering information to develop intelligence domestically. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses the constitutional issues surrounding the concept of gathering information to develop intelligence domestically. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the constitutional issues surrounding the concept of gathering information to develop intelligence domestically; however, the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the constitutional issues surrounding the concept of gathering information to develop intelligence domestically is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides clear reasoning for who won the debate, and clearly states a position. The position is fully supported with scholarly or official government sources.

Proficient - Provides reasons for who won the debate, and clearly states a position.  The position is mostly supported with scholarly or official government source but is slightly unclear.

Basic - Provides minimal reasons for who won the debate and states a position. The position is partially supported with scholarly or official government sources but is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide reasons for  who won the debate and attempts to state a position; however, the position is not supported with scholarly or official government sources and is unclear.

Non-Performance - The reasoning of who won the debate and stated position 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.