Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the chosen theme by presenting at least five teaching points in a developmentally appropriate, creative, and engaging way. The discussion is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Discusses the chosen theme by presenting at least five teaching points in a developmentally appropriate, creative, and engaging way. The discussion is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly discusses the chosen theme by presenting at least four teaching points in a developmentally appropriate, creative, and engaging way. The discussion is not sufficiently supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Minimally discusses the chosen theme by presenting at least three teaching points in a developmentally appropriate, creative, and engaging way; however, the discussion is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing.

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer very little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence in the writing. Such sources/evidence may also be unrelated, offering no support to the ideas in the writing.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Assignment flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Assignment flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Assignment does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Assignment does not flow smoothly when read.

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 assignment, title slide/page, and reference slide/page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the assignment. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the assignment. 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 assignment is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted slides/pages.

Proficient - The length of the assignment is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted slides/pages.

Basic - The length of the assignment is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted slides/pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the assignment is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted slides/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 slide/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 slide/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 slide/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 slide/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.