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 - Provides an exceptionally thorough and insightful discussion of how two contemporary and specific cultures approach the topic.

Proficient - Provides a reasonably insightful discussion of how two contemporary cultures approach the topic; however, the discussion lacks minor details for one or both cultures.

Basic - Provides a somewhat insightful discussion of how two contemporary cultures approach the topic; however, the discussion lacks relevant details or uses inappropriately broad culture areas (i.e., Africa or Asia) for one or both of the two required cultures.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how at least one culture approaches the topic; however, the discussion lacks significant details and/or insight into how the culture(s) approach the topic.

Non-Performance - The discussion of how two cultures approach the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic. All conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic; however, minor details required for a comprehensive comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing. Most conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Basic - Compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic; however, relevant details required for an effective comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing. Some conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare and contrast how the two cultures approach the topic; however, significant details required for a comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing and most conclusions are not supported by scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The comparative analysis of how the two cultures approach the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Annotates at least three sources. Each annotation includes a paragraph that thoroughly summarizes the source’s major claims and describes how the material will be useful to the Final Research Paper.

Proficient - Annotates at least three sources. Each annotation includes a paragraph that mostly summarizes the source’s major claims and describes how the material will be useful to the Final Research Paper.

Basic - Annotates at least three sources. Each annotation includes a paragraph that partially summarizes the source’s major claims and somewhat describes how the material will be useful to the Final Research Paper.

Below Expectations - Minimally and/or unclearly annotates at least two sources. Each annotation includes at least a few sentences, but may not summarize the source’s major claims and/or describe how the material is useful to the Final Research Paper.

Non-Performance - The annotated bibliography is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

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

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

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

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