Distinguished - Thoroughly and comprehensively developed introduction and thesis statement, giving a clear direction and purpose of the paper.  The thesis is stated no later than at the end of the introduction paragraph. 

Proficient - Clearly developed introduction and thesis statement, giving some direction and purpose of the paper.  The thesis is stated no later than at the end of the introduction paragraph.

Basic - Introduction and thesis statement are present, and somewhat give direction and purpose of the paper.  The thesis is stated no later than at the end of the introduction paragraph. 

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

Non-Performance - The thesis is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and concisely presents the argument for the thesis using exceptional details.  The thesis is supported with accurate and relevant information and an argument is fully developed.  The argument employs deductive and inductive reasoning.

Proficient - Clearly presents the argument for the thesis using details.  The thesis is supported with relevant information; however, the argument may not be fully developed.  The argument employs deductive and/or inductive reasoning.

Basic - Briefly presents the argument for the thesis. The thesis is supported with information that is somewhat relevant.  The argument is not fully developed.  The argument does not employ deductive and inductive reasoning and/or this reasoning is not used correctly.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present the argument for the thesis. Lacks supporting information that is accurate and relevant, and as a result,  the argument is not developed.  Deductive and/or inductive reasoning is not used.

Non-Performance - The argument for the thesis is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Exceptionally clear and focused objection to the thesis is presented, along with a counter-argument.

Proficient - Clear and focused objection to the thesis is presented, along with a counter-argument.  The counter-argument is not fully developed.

Basic - Somewhat clear and focused objection to the thesis is present, along with a counter-argument.  The counter-argument needs further development to be fully comprehended.

Below Expectations - The objection to the thesis is present and the counter-argument lack clarity and focus.

Non-Performance - The counter-thesis and counter-argument are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively developed response to the counter-thesis that provides exceptional perspective on the key points presented in the part three. The original thesis statement is effectively defended against the counter-thesis.

Proficient - Clearly developed response to the counter-thesis that provides adequate perspective on the key points present in the part three. The original thesis statement is adequately defended against the counter-thesis, but could use additional insight for a better defense.

Basic - Somewhat developed response to the counter-thesis that provides little perspective on the key points presented in the part three. The original thesis statement may not be defended against the counter-thesis.

Below Expectations - The response to the counter-thesis is present, though incomplete, and provides insufficient perspective on the key points presented in part three. The original thesis cannot be defended against the objections of the counter-thesis.

Non-Performance - The response to the counter-thesis is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The essay is clear and concise, and it is fully developed and well-organized.  Paragraphs follow a logical order.  As a whole, the essay is written in a controlled and direct manner, allowing the reader  to completely understand its direction and purpose. 

Proficient - The essay tends to be clear, concise and is organized.  Paragraphs follow in an order that is mostly logical.  In general, the essay is written so the reader can understand most of its direction and purpose.

Basic - The essay is fairly organized, but doesn’t always follow a logical order.  This results in an essay that is difficult for the reader to fully understand its direction and purpose.

Below Expectations - The essay is somewhat scattered and does appear to have a clear direction or order.  The content and order of the essay makes its direction and purpose unclear.

Non-Performance - The organization and development of the essay is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Exceptionally clear and powerfully defined thoughts and arguments.  Weak and/or unsound arguments are avoided.

Proficient - Clearly defined thoughts and arguments.  Weak and/or unsound arguments are mostly avoided.

Basic - Briefly defined thoughts and arguments.  Weak and/or unsound arguments are somewhat present.

Below Expectations - Thoughts and arguments lack clarity and development. Weak and/or unsound arguments are  present.

Non-Performance - The writer’s thoughts and argument are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper, however, the layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper.  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 non-existent or lacks the APA components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Provides ample resources and uses the correct amount of sources from the specified search agent.

Proficient - Provides the approximate number of sources, while using some of the correct search agents specified in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Provides over half of the  sources required in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Barely provides adequate resources and unable to include sources from specified search agent.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent or lacks the reference requirement components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Specific position is inventive, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Proficient - Specific position is adequate, considering some of the complexities of an issue. Limits of position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Basic - Specific position is adequate, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized but are not synthesized within position.

Below Expectations - Specific position lacks inventiveness and insufficiently considers the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are overlooked. Other viewpoint are not recognized within 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 - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirements stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement.

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.