Distinguished - Comprehensively articulates interest in the choice of topic from the approved list of prompts. Provides specific details about how the topic interests the student.

Proficient - Mostly articulates interest in the choice of topic from the approved list of prompts. Provides details about how the topic interests the student.  Minor details are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Articulates interest in the choice of topic from the approved list of prompts. Provides minimal details about how the topic interests the student.  Relevant details are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Vaguely articulates interest in a topic that appears to come from the approved list of prompts; however, significant details are underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - Articulation of the interest in the choice of topic from the approved list of prompts is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies a specific literary work as directed from the approved list of prompts, and comprehensively explains the connection between the literary work and chosen topic.

Proficient - Identifies a specific literary work as directed from the approved list of prompts, and explains the connection between the literary work and the chosen topic. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies a specific literary work as directed from the approved list of prompts, and briefly explains the connection between the literary work and the chosen topic. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies a specific literary work that does not come from the approved list of prompts, and attempts to explain the connection between the literary work and the chosen topic; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of a specific literary work and explanation of the connection between the literary work and chosen topic are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly develops a working thesis that articulates an argument about the literary text(s).

Proficient - Develops a working thesis that attempts to articulate an argument about the literary text(s). The thesis is slightly unclear.

Basic - Develops a working thesis that is too broad and/or does not clearly articulate an argument about the literary text(s). The thesis is unclear.

Below Expectations - Develops a weak and/or undefined working thesis that does not articulate an argument about the literary text(s). The thesis is significantly unclear.

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

Distinguished - Identifies three key ideas in support of the thesis. Supporting points reflect a critical reading of the primary text(s).

Proficient - Identifies three key ideas in support of the thesis. Some supporting points may summarize the plot rather than reflect a critical reading of the primary text(s). The key ideas are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Attempts to identify three key ideas in support of the thesis; however, the supporting points summarize the plot rather than reflect a critical reading of the primary text(s). The key ideas are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies fewer than three key ideas in support of the thesis; however, the supporting points summarize the plot rather than reflect a critical reading of the primary text(s). The key ideas are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of three key ideas is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes questions, concerns, and plans for the project as requested in the template. The response reflects forethought and anticipates possible challenges.

Proficient - Describes questions, concerns, and plans for the project as requested in the template. Minor details are missing or slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly describes questions, concerns, and plans for the project as requested in the template.  Relevant details are missing and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe questions, concerns, and plans for the project as requested in the template; however, significant details are missing or greatly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The project plans and concerns are 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 - 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.