Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes one positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a complete and concise paragraph.

Proficient - Describes one positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a mostly complete paragraph. The description is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes one positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a somewhat complete paragraph. The description is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe one positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections; however, the paragraph is incomplete, and the description is significantly underdeveloped and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of one positive impact is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes one negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a complete and concise paragraph.

Proficient - Describes one negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a mostly complete paragraph. The description is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes one negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a somewhat complete paragraph. The description is underdeveloped and unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe one negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections; however, the paragraph is incomplete, and the description is significantly underdeveloped and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of one negative impact is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Recommends one wholly appropriate option to accentuate the positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a complete and concise paragraph.

Proficient - Recommends one mostly appropriate option to accentuate the positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a mostly complete paragraph. The paragraph is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Recommends one somewhat appropriate option to accentuate the positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a somewhat complete paragraph. The paragraph is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to recommend one option to accentuate the positive impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections; however, the option is not appropriate, and the paragraph is incomplete and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The recommendation of one option to accentuate the positive impact is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Recommends one wholly appropriate option to lessen the negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a complete and concise paragraph.

Proficient - Recommends one mostly appropriate option to lessen the negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a mostly complete paragraph.  The paragraph is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Recommends one somewhat appropriate option to lessen the negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections in a somewhat complete paragraph. The paragraph is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to recommend one option to lessen the negative impact of political parties, interest groups, or elections; however, the option is not appropriate, and the paragraph is incomplete and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The recommendation of one option to lessen the negative impact is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear and concise thesis statement that identifies the main argument and purpose of the final paper.

Proficient - Provides a clear thesis statement that identifies the main argument and purpose of the final paper. The thesis statement is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a thesis statement that attempts to identify the main argument and purpose of the final paper. The thesis statement is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a thesis statement; however, the thesis statement does not identify the main argument and purpose of the final paper and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The thesis statement 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 - 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.