Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the topic for the Final Research Paper.

Proficient - Summarizes the topic for the Final Research Paper.  The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Summarizes the topic for the Final Research Paper. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the topic for the Final Research Paper; however, the summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The summary of the topic for the Final Research Paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Composes a thorough introduction and succinct thesis statement for the topic selected.

Proficient - Composes an introduction and succinct thesis statement for the topic selected. The introduction or thesis statement is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Composes an introduction and thesis statement for the topic selected. The introduction and/or thesis statement are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compose an introduction and thesis statement for the topic selected; however, the introduction and thesis statement are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis statement for the topic selected are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops three thought-provoking questions to be addressed that clearly set the direction for researching the chosen topic for the Final Research Paper.

Proficient - Develops three thought-provoking questions to be addressed that set the general direction for researching the chosen topic for the Final Research Paper. The questions are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Develops three questions to be addressed while researching the chosen topic for the Final Research Paper. The questions are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop three questions to be addressed; however, fewer than three questions are provided, do not apply to the chosen topic for the Final Research Paper, and/or are significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The three questions to be developed or addressed while researching the Final Research Paper Topic 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 - 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.