Distinguished - Thoroughly developed introduction and thesis statement, giving a clear direction and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Clearly developed introduction and thesis statement, giving some direction and purpose of the paper.

Basic - Introduction and thesis statement are present, and somewhat give direction and purpose of the paper.

Below Expectations - Introduction and thesis statement are present, though incomplete. The direction and purpose of the paper is unclear.

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

Distinguished - Provides a thorough description of the scope and implications of the selected issue, integrating many expert opinions. The description is supported by multiple sources.

Proficient - Provides a description of the scope and implications of the selected issue, integrating expert opinions. The description is supported by many sources but may be slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Provides an adequate description of the scope and implications of the selected issue, integrating expert opinions. The description is somewhat supported by sources but the description may not be entirely accurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a description of the scope and implications of the selected issue, integrating expert opinions; however, the description is not supported by sources and/or the description is inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses society’s response to the issue addressing the effectiveness of various current public policies, other regulatory measures, or less formal responses to the problem.

Proficient - Discusses society’s response to the issue addressing the effectiveness of various current public policies, other regulatory measures, or less formal responses to the problem. The discussion could be more fully developed.

Basic - Briefly discusses society’s response to the issue addressing the effectiveness of various current public policies, other regulatory measures, or less formal responses to the problem. The discussion is lacking significant details of the policies.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss society’s response to the issue addressing the effectiveness of various current public policies, other regulatory measures, or less formal responses to the problem; however, the discussion is lacking significant details of the policies or lacks details of policy effectiveness.

Non-Performance - The discussion of society’s response to the issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive description of an alternative solution and thoroughly discusses the potential effectiveness of the alternative.

Proficient - Provides a description of an alternative solution and discusses the potential effectiveness of the alternative. The description may need further development.

Basic - Provides a minimal description of an alternative solution and briefly discusses the potential effectiveness of the alternative. The description n is slightly underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Provides an alternative solution but a clear description or discussion of the alternative’s potential effectiveness is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of alternative solutions required are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively develops a conclusion that may provide personal opinion of the chosen topic. The thesis statement is restated in the concluding paragraph.

Proficient - Clearly develops a conclusion that may provide personal opinion of the chosen topic. The thesis statement is restated in the concluding paragraph.

Basic - Somewhat develops a conclusion that may provide on personal opinion of the chosen topic. The thesis statement may not be restated in the concluding paragraph.

Below Expectations - The conclusion is present, though incomplete, and may provide on personal opinion of the chosen topic. The thesis statement is not restated in the concluding paragraph.

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

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

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

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

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes 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 - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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 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.