Distinguished - Thoroughly compares and contrasts Kennedy’s visual literacy definition with the textbook definition. The comparison shows mastery of the concepts.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts Kennedy’s visual literacy definition with the textbook definition. The comparison shows a very good understanding of the concepts but minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially compares and contrasts Kennedy’s visual literacy definition with the textbook definition. The comparison shows a limited understanding of the concepts and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Minimally compares and contrasts Kennedy’s visual literacy definition with the textbook definition. The comparison does not clearly show understanding of the material and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The comparison of Kennedy’s visual literacy definition with the textbook definition is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies the definition that seems to be most accurate in today’s world and thoroughly discusses and supports the position with strong, relevant examples.

Proficient - Identifies the definition that seems to be most accurate in today’s world and discusses and supports the position with relevant examples. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Identifies the definition that seems to be most accurate in today’s world and partially discusses and supports the position with general examples. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Identifies the definition that seems to be most accurate in today’s world and attempts to discuss and support the position with examples; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The definition and supporting discussion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how visual literacy can be considered a universal language. Expertly applies concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional scholarly research.

Proficient - Explains how visual literacy can considered a universal language. Sufficiently applies concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional scholarly research. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly explains how visual literacy can be considered a universal language. Partially applies concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional scholarly research. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how visual literacy can be considered a universal language; however, concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional scholarly research are not applied. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how visual literacy can be considered a universal language is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the impact of visual literacy on communication and global understanding. Utilizes strong, relevant examples to support the discussion.

Proficient - Discusses the impact of visual literacy on communication and global understanding. Utilizes relevant examples to support the discussion.

Basic - Partially discusses the impact of visual literacy on communication and global understanding. Somewhat utilizes general examples to support the discussion.

Below Expectations - Minimally discusses the impact of visual literacy on communication and global understanding, but does not utilize examples to support the discussion.

Non-Performance - The discussion of visual literacy and its impact on communication 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 - Specific position is inventive, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Proficient - Specific position is adequate, considering some of the complexities of an issue. Limits of position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Basic - Specific position is adequate, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized but are not synthesized within position.

Below Expectations - Specific position lacks inventiveness and insufficiently considers the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are overlooked. Other viewpoints are not recognized within position.

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 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.

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.