Distinguished - Provides a thorough and comprehensive introduction with a thesis statement, and all concepts are defined as they pertain to the chosen topic.

Proficient - Provides a detailed introduction with a thesis statement, and many concepts are defined as they pertain to the chosen topic. One or two concepts may be missing or unclear.

Basic - Provides a limited introduction with a thesis statement, and some concepts are defined as they pertain to the chosen topic. Some relevant concepts are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Provides an introduction and thesis statement; however, the concepts are not defied as they pertain to the chosen topic, and many relevant concepts are missing or unclear.

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

Distinguished - Outline provides at least a one or two sentence description of at least one theory of human development, including relevant terminology, clearly addressing how the theory assists in the understanding of the issues involved in the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Proficient - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of at least one theory of human development, including relevant terminology addressing how the theory assists in the understanding of the issues involved in the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper. One or two key points may be missing from outline.

Basic - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of one theory of human development, including some relevant terminology minimally addressing how the theory assists in the understanding of the issues involved in the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper. Some key points are missing from outline.

Below Expectations - Outline attempts to provide a description of one theory of human development; however, it does not include relevant terminology or address how the theory assists in the understanding of the issues involved in the topic or how they will be addressed in the Final Paper. Many key points are missing from the outline.

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

Distinguished - Outline provides at least a one or two sentence description of at least two domains of human development clearly addressing how the chosen domains of human development are impacted or influenced by the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Proficient - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of at least two domains of human development addressing how the chosen domains of human development are impacted or influenced by the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Basic - Outline provides a one sentence description of two domains of human development, vaguely addressing how the domains of human development are impacted or influenced by the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Below Expectations - Outline provides one or two sentences that attempt to describe at least one domain of human development; however; how the domain of human development is impacted or influenced by the topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper are not included.

Non-Performance - The examination of the domains of human development is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Outline provides at least a one or two sentence description of at least three stages of development and clearly addresses how each of those stages is affected by the chosen topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Proficient - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of three stages of development and addresses how each of those stages is affected by the chosen topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Basic - Outline provides a one sentence description of the stages of development and minimally addresses how they are affected by the chosen topic and how they will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Below Expectations - Outline provides one or two sentences that attempt to describe the stages of development; however, how they are affected by the chosen topic and influenced how they will be addressed in the Final Paper are not included.

Non-Performance - The identification and description of the stages of development and how they are affected by the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of the cultural and historical perspectives on the chosen topic, demonstrating a complete understanding of how the topic has been perceived over time and by other cultures. Provides several relevant examples that clearly illustrate and support this application and how it will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Proficient - Outline provides a one or two sentence description of the cultural and historical perspectives on the chosen topic, demonstrating an understanding of how the topic has been perceived over time and by other cultures. Provides mostly relevant examples that illustrate and support this application and how it will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Basic - Outline provides a one sentence description of the cultural or historical perspectives on the chosen topic, demonstrating a minimal understanding of how the topic has been perceived over time and by other cultures. Provides somewhat relevant examples that vaguely illustrate and support this application and how it will be addressed in the Final Paper.

Below Expectations - Outline attempts to provide a description of the cultural or historical perspectives of the chosen topic; however the description does not demonstrate an understanding of how the topic had been perceived over time and by other cultures and relevant examples are not provided.

Non-Performance - The description of the cultural and historical perspectives on the chosen topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough conclusion that clearly answers the selected question in the topic, including a complete analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence or suggests future research directions which would enable researchers to answer the question.

Proficient - Provides a conclusion that answers the selected question in the topic, including an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence, or suggests future research directions which would enable researchers to answer the question.

Basic - Provides a brief conclusion that minimally answers the selected question in the topic, including a partial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence, or vaguely suggests future research directions that would enable researchers to answer the question.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a conclusion; however, the conclusion does not answer the selected question in the topic, analyze the strength and weaknesses of the available evidence, or suggest future research directions that would enable researchers to answer the question.

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

Distinguished - Creates an annotated bibliography that thoroughly summarizes each article, including the purpose of the investigation, its methodology, and results, using at least two scholarly sources that specifically address the topic.

Proficient - Creates an annotated bibliography that summarizes each article, including the purpose of the investigation, its methodology, and results, using two scholarly sources that specifically address the topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Creates an annotated bibliography that partially summarizes each article, including the purpose of the investigation, its methodology, and results, using two sources that vaguely address the topic. The sources may not be scholarly and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Creates an annotated bibliography that attempts to summarizes each article, including the purpose of the investigation, its methodology, and results; however, the sources are not scholarly and do not address the topic, or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The annotated bibliography is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - 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. Paper 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. Paper 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. Paper 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. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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

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 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.