Distinguished - Accurately identifies all the characters in a chosen political cartoon.

Proficient - Identifies most of the characters in a chosen political cartoon. A few minor characters are either not identified or inaccurately identified.

Basic - Identifies some of the characters in a chosen political cartoon. Significant characters are either not identified or inaccurately identified.

Below Expectations - Attempts to correctly identify all the characters in a chosen political cartoon; however, all of the significant characters are either not identified or inaccurately identified.

Non-Performance - The identification of characters in a chosen political cartoon is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately identifies all of the symbols and actions in the cartoon.

Proficient - Identifies most of the symbols and actions in the cartoon. Minor details may be missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Identifies some of the symbols and actions in the cartoon. Relevant may be missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the symbols and actions in the cartoon; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of symbols and actions is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately explains what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish-American War for the countries occupied.

Proficient - Explains what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish-American War for the countries occupied. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Partially explains what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish-American War for the countries occupied. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish-American War for the countries occupied; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The explanation of what the cartoon says about the consequences of the Spanish American War for the countries occupied is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - Clearly and comprehensively reflects on how the analysis exercise impacted their understanding of the cartoon.

Proficient - Clearly reflects on how the analysis exercise impacted their understanding of the cartoon.

Basic - Briefly reflects on how the analysis exercise impacted their understanding of the cartoon.

Below Expectations – Delivers a minimal reflection on how the analysis exercise impacted their understanding of the cartoon.

Non-Performance - The reflection 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.