Distinguished - Outline is clearly organized in a formal format and includes a well-crafted introduction and thesis statement, related topic sentences, significant supporting information for each topic, and a conclusion that refers back to the thesis and summarizes the main points.

Proficient - Outline is sufficiently organized in a formal format and includes an introduction, thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting information for each topic, and a conclusion that refers back to the thesis and summarizes the main points.

Basic - Outline includes an introduction, thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting information, and a conclusion; however, it is not well organized or does not follow a formal format.

Below Expectations - Outline is centered around a topic or theme, but lacks a thesis statement to focus the paper. The introduction, topic sentences, supporting information, and conclusion are not organized in a formal format. Some required information may be missing.

Non-Performance - An appropriate outline structure is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Outline’s thesis or controlling idea develops in the body of the assignment through an appropriate sequence of ideas and use of interesting examples, evidence, and/or details from scholarly sources. Outline is 400 to 500 words in length.

Proficient - Outline’s thesis or controlling idea is developed in the body of the assignment through an appropriate sequence of ideas and use of examples, evidence, and/or details from scholarly sources. Some paragraphs lack sufficient examples or detail. Outline is 400 to 500 words in length.

Basic - Outline’s thesis or controlling idea is apparent in the body of the assignment, although the sequence of ideas lacks logic or focus. Examples, evidence, and/or details relevant to the main idea are included, but they are underdeveloped and/or unsupported by scholarly sources. Outline is 400 to 500 words in length.

Below Expectations - Outline’s thesis or controlling idea is minimally developed in the body of the assignment. The sequence of ideas lacks logic and focus as well as relevant examples, evidence, and details from scholarly sources, and/or the outline does not meet the required length of 400 to 500 words.

Non-Performance - An appropriate outline development is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Outline utilizes techniques of formal research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, illustrating careful attention to word choice and sentence construction.

Proficient - Outline utilizes techniques of formal research writing for a majority of the assignment. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Basic - Outline utilizes techniques of research writing, including language that is mostly appropriate to audience and purpose, although not entirely concise. Errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Below Expectations - Outline addresses a subject that warrants formal research writing techniques, but the content is not concise and contains language inappropriate to audience and/or purpose. Various errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Non-Performance - An appropriate outline style is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Outline uses the proper conventions of the English language, including correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Minor mechanical errors may be present, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Proficient - Outline uses the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors are present, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Basic - Outline uses the proper conventions of the English language most of the time. Some mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Below Expectations - Outline does not utilize many of the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Non-Performance - An appropriate use of grammar is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Expertly incorporates 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 the 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 the required number of sources to support ideas, although 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 an 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 sources are either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Outline uses accurate APA formatting consistently throughout the assignment. Outline contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Proficient - Outline uses APA formatting throughout the paper, but minor errors are present. Outline contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Basic - Outline uses some APA formatting, but does not meet all APA requirements. Outline contains a title page and reference page.

Below Expectations - Outline minimally uses APA formatting and includes numerous errors that distract from the outline’s content. Outline may not contain a title page and/or reference page.

Non-Performance - Use of APA formatting is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.