Distinguished - Expertly compares and contrasts the content in each literary work, while developing compelling and creative connections between the two.

Proficient - Sufficiently compares and contrasts the content in each literary work, while developing strong connections between the two.

Basic - Compares and contrasts the content in each literary work, but at a somewhat superficial level.  Student creates connections between the two works, although, such connections are somewhat limited. 

Below Expectations - Describes the content in each literary work, but does not analyze  or draw connections between the two. 

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or does not compare and contrast the content of the two selected works.

Distinguished - Expertly compares and contrasts the form of each literary work, while developing compelling and creative connections between the two.

Proficient - Sufficiently compares and contrasts the form of each literary work, while developing strong connections between the two.

Basic - Compares and contrasts the form of each literary work, but at a somewhat superficial level.  Student creates connections between the two works, although, such connections are somewhat limited. 

Below Expectations - Describes the form of each literary work, but does not analyze  or draw connections between the two. 

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or does not compare and contrast the content of the two selected works.

Distinguished - Expertly compares and contrasts the form of each literary work, while developing compelling and creative connections between the two.

Proficient - Sufficiently compares and contrasts the style in each literary work, while developing strong connections between the two.

Basic - Compares and contrasts the style in each literary work, but at a somewhat superficial level.  Student creates connections between the two works, although, such connections are somewhat limited. 

Below Expectations - Describes the style in each literary work, but does not analyze  or draw connections between the two. 

Non-Performance - The paper is either non-existent or does not compare and contrast the content of the two selected works.

Distinguished - Properly employs all existing conventions for the specific type of assignment (e.g., lab report, academic paper, personal essay, etc.), as well as for the specific academic field (e.g., Science, Business, English, etc.).

Proficient - Properly employs most of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific academic field.

Basic - Employs some existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific type of academic field.

Below Expectations - Employs very few of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment, as well as for the specific type of academic field.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent 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 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 - Appraises tactics for relating ideas, text structure, or other textual features in order to gain knowledge or insight within and across texts and disciplines.

Proficient - Recognizes connections among ideas, text structure, or other textual features, to analyze how they support a sophisticated understanding of the text as a whole.

Basic - Recognizes the connections among portions of a text in considering how these contribute to a fundamental understanding of the text as a whole.

Below Expectations - Makes an effort to recognize portions of a text as needed to respond to inquiries posed in the assignment.

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.