Distinguished - Thoroughly explains each of the sections of a research article by clearly describing the purpose and content of each section. Uses the provided article as an example to support the explanations.

Proficient - Explains the sections of a research article by describing the content and purpose of each section. Uses the provided article as an example to support the explanation. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Partially explains most sections of a research article by minimally describing the content and purpose of each section. Somewhat uses the provided article as an example to support the explanation. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the sections of a research article; however, does not clearly indicate the content or purpose of each section does not use the provided article as support, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the sections of a research article is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the selected research article by thoroughly addressing all of the guiding questions and includes detail that demonstrates a thorough understanding.  

Proficient - Analyzes the selected research article by addressing all of the guiding questions, and includes detail that demonstrates a good understanding.

Basic - Partially analyzes the selected research article by minimally addressing some of guiding questions and includes detail that demonstrates a limited understanding.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the selected research article, but does not answer two or more of the guiding questions, and does not include detail to demonstrate an understanding.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the selected research article is either nonexistent or does not address the guiding questions in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of non-research based information by methodically addressing each of the guiding questions, and provides examples and evidence support the explanation.

Proficient - Explains the criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of non-research based information by addressing all of the guiding questions. The explanation may be missing minor details or supporting examples.

Basic - Minimally explains the criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of non-research based information, but may not address all guiding questions. The explanation is missing relevant details and/or supporting examples.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of non-research based information; however, does not address all guiding questions and the explanation is missing significant details and supporting examples.

Non-Performance - The explanation of criteria used to evaluate the accuracy of non-research based information is either nonexistent or does not address the guiding questions provided in the instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the credibility of the information provided on the two selected websites. The seven areas of evaluation are clearly applied to these websites. Specific examples from the websites are provided.

Proficient - Evaluates the credibility of the information provided on the two selected websites. Most of the areas of evaluation are clearly applied to these websites. Specific examples from the websites are provided, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially evaluates the credibility of the information provided on the two selected websites. Some of the areas of evaluation are clearly applied to these websites. Few specific examples from the websites are provided and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the credibility of the information provided on the two selected websites; however, several areas of evaluation are not clearly applied and, no specific examples from the websites are provided, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the credibility of the information provided on the two selected websites is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author's explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message. Draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary but makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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