Distinguished - Identifies one area of diversity on which to focus

Non-Performance - The identification of one area of diversity on which to focus is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains language sensitivity.

Proficient - Explains language sensitivity; however, minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Briefly explains language sensitivity; however, relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain language sensitivity; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The explanation of language sensitivity is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly relates an area of diversity to a personal experience, current news story, or impacted group of individuals.

Proficient - Relates an area of diversity to a personal experience, current news story, or impacted group of individuals; however, minor details are missing.

Basic - Relates an area of diversity to a personal experience, current news story, or impacted group of individuals; however, relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to relate an area of diversity to a personal experience, current news story, or impacted group of individuals; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The relation of an area of diversity to a personal experience, current news story, or impacted group of individuals is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly assesses the importance language sensitivity in the mass media.

Proficient - Assesses the importance of language sensitivity in the mass media; however, minor details are missing.

Basic - Assesses the importance of language sensitivity in the mass media; however, relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess the importance of language sensitivity in the mass media; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The assignment 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 - 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.