Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach, and the scope of the paper.

Proficient - Describes the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach, and the scope of the paper. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describse the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach, and the scope of the paper. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach, and the scope of the paper; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach, and the scope of the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a complete outline including a heading for each section of the research paper/PowerPoint presentation, and heading and subheading descriptions.

Proficient - Provides an outline including a heading for each section of the research paper/PowerPoint presentation, and heading and subheading descriptions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited outline, including a heading for most sections of the research paper/PowerPoint presentation, and heading and subheading descriptions. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an outline; however, does not include a heading, heading or subheading descriptions for many sections of the research paper/PowerPoint presentation.

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

Distinguished - Provides exceptionally clear paraphrased narratives of the research studies from the required number of scholarly references. The described references visibly relate to the stated thesis or central argument.

Proficient - Provides exceptionally clear paraphrased narratives of the research studies from the required number of scholarly references. The described references visibly relate to the stated thesis or central argument.

Basic - Provides somewhat vague paraphrased narratives of the research studies from the required number of scholarly references. The identified references appear to relate to the stated thesis or central argument, but do not have sufficient annotations to describe their contents.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide paraphrased narratives of the research studies.Identifies fewer than the required number of scholarly references, and may identify references that are not scholarly.

Non-Performance - The references are either nonexistent, entirely unscholarly, or otherwise inapplicable to the assignment.

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.