Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the nature of the case.

Proficient - Summarizes the nature of the case. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally summarizes the nature of the case. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the nature of the case; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The summary of the nature of the case is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately identifies the basic legal question that is to be decided in the case and the decision.

Proficient - Identifies the basic legal question that is to be decided in the case and the decision. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate. 

Basic - Minimally identifies the basic legal question that is to be decided in the case and the decision. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the basic legal question that is to be decided in the case and the decision; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate. 

Non-Performance - The identification of the basic legal question that is to be decided in the case and the decision is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately identifies the rule of law announced in the case.

Proficient - Identifies the rule of law announced in the case. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate. 

Basic - Partially identifies the rule of law announced in the case. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the rule of law announced in the case; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate. 

Non-Performance - The identification of the rule of law announced in the case is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the reasoning of the trial.

Proficient - Summarizes the reasoning of the trial. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Briefly summarizes the reasoning of the trial. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the reasoning of the trial; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The summary of the reasoning of the trial 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 evaluates own and others' assumptions and carefully determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Proficient - Evaluates own and others' assumptions and determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Basic - Evaluates many assumptions and identifies the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

Below Expectations - Evaluates some assumptions, although the evaluation is incomplete. May inadequately identify the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

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 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.