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

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

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - 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 specifically describes a social problem, indicating a relevant sociological theory or theories that may explain the social problem.

Proficient - Describes a social problem, generally indicating a sociological theory or theories that may explain the social problem.

Basic - Moderately describes a social problem, but the description is somewhat underdeveloped and may lack reference to a sociological theory to explain the social problem.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe a social problem; however, the description is underdeveloped, unclear, and/or inaccurate, and may lack reference to a sociological theory to explain the social problem.

Non-Performance - The description of a social problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear and well-supported discussion of relevant research that explains the scope and consequences of the social problem.

Proficient - Provides a moderately clear and well-supported discussion of relevant research that explains the scope and consequences of the social problem. Aspects of the discussion may be slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a discussion of the scope and consequences of the social problem, but aspects of the discussion are unclear or underdeveloped, and/or the discussion lacks sufficient support from empirical research.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a discussion of the social problem; however, both the scope and consequences of the issue may not be considered. The discussion is unclear, underdeveloped, and/or lacks support from empirical research.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the scope and consequences of the social problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally clear and balanced assessment of societal responses to the social problem, fully considering public policies, less formal responses, and alternative solutions.

Proficient - Provides a reasonably clear and balanced assessment of societal responses to the social problem, mostly considering public policies, less formal responses, and alternative solutions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides an assessment of societal responses to the social problem, somewhat considering public policies, less formal responses, and alternative solutions. Some relevant details are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess societal responses to the social problem; however, the assessment may not demonstrate balanced consideration of public policies, less formal responses, or alternative solutions. Relevant details are missing or unclear.

Non-Performance - The assessment of societal responses to the social problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Presents an exceptionally well-reasoned alternative strategy to solving the social problem that is supported by in-depth scholarly research.

Proficient - Presents a mostly well-reasoned alternative strategy to solving the social problem that is supported by scholarly research.

Basic - Presents an alternative strategy to solving the social problem that is minimally supported by scholarly research. Reasoning is evident but weak.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present an alternative strategy to solving a social problem; however, the strategy is not supported by scholarly research, and reasoning is weak or missing.

Non-Performance - The presentation of an alternative solution to the social problem 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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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 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 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.