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

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

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - 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 - Comprehensively integrates the research findings related to the selected topic.

Proficient - Integrates the research findings related to the selected topic. Minor details are missing and/or may be inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally integrates the research findings as related to the selected topic. Relevant details are missing and/or are inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to integrate the research findings related to the selected topic; however, significant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the key issues and controversies from the research.

Proficient - Discuses the key issues and controversies from the research. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses the key issues and controversies from the research. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the key issues and controversies from the research; however, the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the key issues and controversies is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly discusses multiple perspectives on the chosen topic. The discussion is balanced and fully supported by research.

Proficient - Discusses multiple perspectives on the chosen topic. The discussion is mostly balanced and supported by research.

Basic - Minimally discusses multiple perspectives on the chosen topic. The discussion is somewhat balanced and partially supported by research.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a discussion of multiple perspectives related to the chosen topic; however, the discussion is unbalanced and not sufficiently supported by research.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes and comprehensively analyzes the findings from the research.

Proficient - Summarizes and analyzes the findings from the research. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially summarizes and minimally analyzes the findings from the research. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize and analyze the findings from the research; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of how course content and research findings apply is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly recommends additional research that offers comprehensive and feasible solutions that could be implemented in the future. Solutions are detailed and supported.

Proficient - Recommends additional research that offers solutions that could be implemented in the future. Solutions are mostly feasible, detailed, and supported.

Basic - Recommends additional research that offers minimal solutions that could be implemented in the future. Solutions may not be feasible and/or lack detail and support.

Below Expectations - Attempts to recommend additional research; however, the recommendations are not feasible or lack significant detail and support.

Non-Performance - The recommendations are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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 - 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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

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

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

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.

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 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 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.