Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies the issue that is addressed in the argument.

Proficient - Accurately identifies the issue that is addressed in the argument. The identification is slightly unclear or imprecise.

Basic - Identifies the issue that is addressed in the argument. The identification is unclear or imprecise.

Below Expectations - Misidentifies the issue that is addressed in the argument. The identification is significantly unclear, imprecise, and/or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of the issue that is addressed in the argument is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately explains the argument and clearly identifies all relevant premises and conclusions.

Proficient - Accurately explains the argument and identifies most relevant premises and conclusions.

Basic - Explains the argument and identifies some relevant premises and conclusions. The explanation may be somewhat unclear or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Inaccurately and/or unclearly explains the argument and identifies few or no relevant premises and conclusions.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the argument and the identification of the relevant premises and conclusions are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and clearly evaluates the argument. The evaluation includes proper identification of inductive or deductive reasoning as well as validity, soundness, and/or strength where applicable.

Proficient - Accurately evaluates the argument. The evaluation includes proper identification of inductive or deductive reasoning as well as validity, soundness, and/or strength where applicable. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Evaluates the argument. The evaluation includes identification of inductive or deductive reasoning as well as validity, soundness, and/or strength, but relevant details are missing, unclear, or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Inaccurately and/or unclearly evaluates the argument. The evaluation may not identify inductive or deductive reasoning, validity, soundness, and/or strength.

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

Distinguished - Creates a clear counterargument with supporting premises that are fully grounded in logical reasoning and/or factual evidence. The counterargument is strong if inductive, and valid and sound if deductive.

Proficient - Creates a mostly clear counterargument with supporting premises that are adequately grounded in logical reasoning and/or factual evidence. The counterargument is strong if inductive, and valid and sound if deductive.

Basic - Creates a counterargument with supporting premises that are partially grounded in logical reasoning and/or factual evidence. The counter-argument contains relevant errors in the use of induction or deduction, which somewhat compromise the argument’s strength, validity, and/or soundness.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a counterargument with supporting premises; however, the counter-argument lacks logical reasoning and factual evidence and includes significant errors in the use of induction or deduction, which compromise the argument’s strength, validity, and/or soundness.

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

Distinguished - Clearly identifies a weakness in the original argument and critiques that weakness using factual evidence and/or logical reasoning.

Proficient - Identifies a weakness in the original argument and critiques that weakness using factual evidence and/or logical reasoning. The identification and/or critique are slightly unclear.

Basic - Identifies a weakness in the original argument and partially critiques that weakness using logical reasoning and/or factual evidence. The identification and/or critique are unclear or do not directly relate to weaknesses in the original argument.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify a weakness in the original argument and critique that weakness; however, the identification and critique are unclear and/or do not relate to weaknesses in the original argument.

Non-Performance - The identification of a weakness in the original argument and the critique of that weakness are either nonexistent or lack 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 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.