Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes psychological theory and research pertinent to the topic.  All details are present and accurate.

Proficient - Summarizes psychological theory and research pertinent to the topic. Minor details may be unclear.

Basic - Partially summarizes psychological theory and research pertinent to the topic.  Relevant details may be missing/unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize psychological theory and research pertinent to the topic.  Significant details may be inaccurate, missing, and/or unclear.

Non-Performance - The summary of pertinent psychological theory and research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Fully appraises and explains the evidence to determine whether or not this commonly held belief accurately represents psychological knowledge of the topic.  All details are present and accurate.

Proficient - Appraises and explains the evidence to determine whether or not this commonly held belief accurately represents psychological knowledge of the topic. Minor details may be unclear.

Basic - Partially appraises and explains the evidence to determine whether or not this commonly held belief accurately represents psychological knowledge of the topic.  Relevant details may be missing/unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to appraise and explain the evidence to determine whether or not this commonly held belief accurately represents psychological knowledge of the topic.  Significant details may be inaccurate, missing, and/or unclear.

Non-Performance - The appraisal and explanation of evidence and determination is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately makes an inference regarding the commonly held belief based on whether or not the theory and research support the statement.  All details are present and accurate.

Proficient - Makes an inference regarding the commonly held belief based on whether or not the theory and research support the statement. Minor details may be unclear.

Basic - Makes a partial inference regarding the commonly held belief based on whether or not the theory and research support the statement.  Relevant details may be missing/unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to make an inference regarding the commonly held belief based on whether or not the theory and research support the statement.  Significant details may be inaccurate, missing, and/or unclear.

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

Distinguished - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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 - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing. 

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence that may be unrelated and offer little support to the ideas in the writing. 

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.