Distinguished - Skillfully explains in detail why the particular literary work was selected, while expertly utilizing concepts or terms from the text to support the explanation.

Proficient - Explains in detail why the particular literary work was selected, while accurately utilizing concepts or terms from the text to support the explanation.

Basic - Briefly explains why the particular literary work was selected, while utilizing at least one concept or term from the text to support the explanation.

Below Expectations - Vaguely explains why the particular literary work was selected, but may not support the explanation with any concepts or terms from the text.

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or completely lacks any explanation of the literary work selection.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately describes an approach from Chapter 16 of the text, while utilizing details from the text to offer substantial support for the description.

Proficient - Accurately describes an approach from Chapter 16 of the text, while utilizing details from the text to offer adequate support for the description.

Basic - Describes an approach from Chapter 16 of the text, while utilizing details from the text to offer limited support for the description.

Below Expectations - Identifies an approach from Chapter 16 of the text, but does not provide a description of the approach.

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or fails to identify any approach from Chapter 16 of the text.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the meaning of the literary work through the skillful application of an analytical approach from the text.

Proficient -Evaluates the meaning of the literary work through the application of an analytical approach from the text.

Basic - Describes the meaning of the literary work, vaguely relating it to an analytical approach from the text.

Below Expectations - Briefly describes the meaning of the literary work, but may not use an analytical approach in doing so.

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or fails to discuss the meaning of the literary work entirely.

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 or syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

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

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author’s explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text, general background understanding, and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message; draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary and makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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

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

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper, however, 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 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 predetermined 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 non-existent or lacks the 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 components described in the instructions.