Distinguished - Thoroughly introduces the selected topic, giving a clear direction and purpose of the paper. Comprehensively defines all concepts that will be discussed in the paper.

Proficient - Introduces the selected topic, giving some direction and purpose of the paper. Defines all concepts that will be used in the paper. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Vaguely introduces the selected topic, giving limited direction and purpose of the paper. Partially defines some of the concepts that will be used in the paper. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the selected topic and define the concepts that will be used in the paper; however, many concepts are not defined and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction and definition of the concepts that will be discussed in the paper are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished -Thoroughly and accurately describes the main features of the impairment exhibited by the movie character.

Proficient - Describes the main features of the impairment exhibited by the movie character. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially describes the main features of the impairment exhibited by the movie character. Relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the main features of the impairment exhibited by the movie character; however, significant details are missing or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The description of the main features of the impairment exhibited by the movie character is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Concludes paper by comprehensively expressing thoughts about how the movie could have more realistically depicted memory loss, its causes, time-course, and prognosis.

Proficient - Concludes paper by expressing thoughts about how the movie could have more realistically depicted memory loss, its causes, time-course, and prognosis.

Basic - Concludes paper by vaguely expressing thoughts about how the movie could have more realistically depicted memory loss, its causes, time-course, and prognosis.

Below Expectations - Concludes paper by attempting to expresses thoughts about how the movie could have more realistically depicted memory loss, its causes, time-course, and prognosis.

Non-Performance - The conclusion expressing thoughts about the movie is 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.