Distinguished - Accurately and clearly identifies the issue, premises, and conclusion of the argument. The identification is clear and concise.

Proficient - Accurately identifies the issue, premises, and conclusion of the argument. The identification is slightly unclear or imprecise.

Basic - Accurately identifies at least two of the three components of the argument. The identification of the issue, premises, or conclusion is unclear, imprecise, or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Accurately identifies at least one component of the argument. The identification of the issue, premises, and/or conclusion is significantly unclear, imprecise, and/or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the issue, premises, and conclusion of the argument is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly determines whether the argument is valid/invalid, sound/unsound, and/or strong/weak in accordance with the properties of deductive and inductive arguments, and fully explains reasoning.

Proficient - Somewhat clearly determines whether the argument is valid/invalid, sound/unsound, and/or strong/weak, and adequately explains reasoning. The explanation omits minor details related to the properties of inductive and deductive arguments.

Basic - Determines whether the argument is valid/invalid, sound/unsound, and/or strong/weak, and partially explains reasoning. The explanation omits relevant details that are necessary to fully explain the properties of inductive and deductive arguments.

Below Expectations - Attempts to determine whether the argument is valid/invalid, sound/unsound, and/or strong/weak and explain reasoning; however, the explanation omits or inaccurately represents significant details that are necessary to explain the properties of inductive and deductive arguments.

Non-Performance - The determination of whether the argument is valid/invalid, sound/unsound, and/or strong/weak 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 - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

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

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

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 - Uses more than one scholarly source, 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 one scholarly source to support ideas. The source is used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment and on the reference page.

Basic - Uses one scholarly source to somewhat support ideas. Citations may not be formatted correctly within the body of the assignment and/or on the reference page.

Below Expectations - Uses one source that provides little or no support for ideas. The source may not be scholarly, and citations are not formatted correctly within the body of the assignment and/or on the reference page.

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