Distinguished - Develops a complete and comprehensive workable rough draft from the Week 2 outline, clearly demonstrating progression in the steps of the writing process.

Proficient - Develops a workable rough draft from the Week 2 outline. The rough draft is slightly underdeveloped, demonstrating some progression in the steps of the writing process.

Basic - Develops a limited but workable rough draft from the Week 2 outline. The rough draft is underdeveloped, demonstrating minimal progression in the steps of the writing process.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a workable rough draft from the Week 2 outline; however, the rough draft is significantly underdeveloped and does not demonstrate progression in the steps of the writing process.

Non-Performance - The workable rough draft from the Week 2 outline is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly states specific details about what is most important in the selected reading and the topic that it explores.

Proficient - States details about the selected reading and the topic that it explores, but not all are what is important in the reading. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - States minimal details about what is most important in the selected reading and the topic that it explores. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Shares vague or irrelevant details about the selected reading and the topic that it explores.

Non-Performance - The details about the selected reading and the topic that it explores are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Composes a clear, detailed argument in response to topic of the selected essay, and fully supports the response with examples and at least one quote and one paraphrase from the selected essay.

Proficient -Composes an argument in response to topic of the selected essay, and supports the response with examples and at least one quote and one paraphrase from the selected essay. The argument is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Composes a limited argument in response to topic of the selected essay, and somewhat supports the response with examples and at least one quote and one paraphrase from the selected essay. Either the quote or paraphrase is missing, and/or the argument is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compose an argument in response to topic of the selected essay; however, does not support the response with examples and at least one quote and one paraphrase from the selected essay, and/or the argument is significantly underdeveloped and unclear.

Non-Performance - The argument in response to topic of the selected essay and of support of the response with examples and at least one quote and one paraphrase from the selected essay are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

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

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The 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 - 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.