Distinguished - The paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - The paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness regarding the U.S. Constitution. The descriptions are fully supported with relevant and reliable sources.

Proficient - Describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness the U.S. Constitution. The descriptions are supported with relevant sources but slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and/or an option to correct the weakness. The descriptions are somewhat supported with sources, but the sources are irrelevant. The descriptions are underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and/or an option to correct the weakness the U.S. Constitution; however, not all four areas are addressed, and the descriptions are not supported with sources, significantly underdeveloped, and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The descriptions of a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness of the U.S. Constitution are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes an advantage, disadvantage, an option to maintain the advantage, and an option to improve the disadvantage of federalism. The descriptions are fully supported with clear and detailed examples.

Proficient - Describes an advantage, disadvantage, an option to maintain the advantage, and an option to improve the disadvantage of federalism.  The descriptions are supported with examples but slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes an advantage, disadvantage, an option to maintain the advantage, and an option to improve the disadvantage of federalism. The descriptions are somewhat supported with examples, underdeveloped, and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe an advantage, disadvantage, an option to maintain the advantage, and an option to improve the disadvantage of federalism; however, not all four are addressed, and the descriptions are not supported with examples, significantly underdeveloped, and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The descriptions of an advantage, disadvantage, an option to maintain the advantage, and an option to improve the disadvantage of federalism are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness of one of the branches of government.  The descriptions are fully supported with clear and detailed examples.

Proficient - Describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness of one of the branches of government.  The descriptions are supported with examples but slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness of one of the branches of government.  The description is somewhat supported with examples, underdeveloped, and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness of one of the branches of government; however, not all four are addressed, and the descriptions are not supported with examples, significantly underdeveloped, and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The descriptions of a strength, weakness, option to maintain the strength, and an option to correct the weakness are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes a positive impact, negative impact, an option to accentuate the positive impact, and an option to lessen the negative impact of one of the following: political parties, interest groups, or elections.  The descriptions are fully supported with clear and detailed examples.

Proficient - Describes a positive impact, negative impact, an option to accentuate the positive impact, and an option to lessen the negative impact of one of the following: political parties, interest groups, or elections. The descriptions are supported with examples but slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes a positive impact, negative impact, an option to accentuate the positive impact, and/or an option to lessen the negative impact of one of the following: political parties, interest groups, or elections. The descriptions are somewhat supported with examples, underdeveloped, and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe a positive impact, negative impact, an option to accentuate the positive impact, and/or an option to lessen the negative impact of the following: political parties, interest groups, or elections; however, not all four are addressed, and the descriptions are not supported with examples, significantly underdeveloped, and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The descriptions of a positive impact, negative impact, an option to accentuate the positive impact, and an option to lessen the negative impact are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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.