Distinguished - Accurately and fully determines what is most important in the selected essay, and thoroughly summarizes the main argument into a workable thesis statement.

Proficient - Determines what is most important in the selected essay, and summarizes the main argument into a workable thesis statement. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially determines what is most important in the selected essay, and minimally summarizes the main argument into a workable thesis statement. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to determine what is most important in the selected essay and summarize the main argument into a workable thesis statement; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The determination of what is most important in the selected essay and summary of the main argument into a workable thesis statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a detailed workable outline as part of the writing process using one’s brainstorming ideas to develop potential body paragraphs.

Proficient - Creates a workable outline as part of the writing process using one’s brainstorming ideas. The outline is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Creates a limited workable outline as part of the writing process using one’s brainstorming ideas. The outline is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a workable outline as part of the writing process using one’s brainstorming ideas; however, the outline is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The workable outline as part of the writing process using one’s brainstorming ideas is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly applies the structural components of the outlining format to continue essay development based on working thesis statement.

Proficient - Applies the structural components of the outlining format to continue essay development based on working thesis statement. The application of structural components of outlining format is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Minimally applies the structural components of the outlining format to continue essay development. The application of structural components of outlining format is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply the structural components of the outlining format to continue essay development; however, the application of structural components of outlining format is significantly underdeveloped and unclear.

Non-Performance - The application of the structural components of the outlining format to continue essay development is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Written work contains exceptional language that is appropriate in diction and tone, according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Academic vocabulary is integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Proficient - Written work contains language that is appropriate in diction and tone, according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Academic vocabulary is mostly integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Basic - Written work contains language that is somewhat appropriate in diction and tone according to the assignment guidelines. Academic vocabulary is somewhat integrated throughout the assignment.

Below Expectations - Written work does not contain language that is appropriate in diction and tone according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is minimally integrated throughout the assignment.

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

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of grammar and spelling. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of grammar and spelling. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of grammar and spelling. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of grammar and spelling. 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.