Distinguished - Comprehensively describes four examples of key energy plans.

Proficient - Describes four examples of key energy plans, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describes four examples of key energy plans and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe four examples of key energy plans; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of four examples of key energy plans is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly assesses the main goals of energy-planning efforts. Effectively applies vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources to support to the assessment.

Proficient - Assesses the main goals of energy-planning efforts. Applies vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources to support the assessment, but the assessment is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Vaguely assesses the main goals of energy-planning efforts. Somewhat applies vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources to support the assessment, and the assessment is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess the main goals of energy-planning efforts; however, vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources are not applied to support the assessment, and the assessment is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The assessment of the main goals of energy-planning efforts is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately details the appropriate actors involved in the energy planning.

Proficient - Details the appropriate actors involved in the energy planning. Minor inaccuracies are present.

Basic - Somewhat details the actors involved in the energy planning, but some actors are not appropriate and several inaccuracies are present.

Below Expectations - Attempts to detail the actors involved in the energy planning, but most of the actors listed are not appropriate and significant inaccuracies are present.

Non-Performance - The details of the actors involved in the energy planning are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the issues that must be overcome to ensure effectiveness of the chosen energy plan. Expertly utilizes strong, relevant examples to support the explanation.

Proficient - Explains the issues that must be overcome to ensure effectiveness of the chosen energy plan. Sufficiently utilizes relevant examples to support the explanation, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the issues that must be overcome to ensure effectiveness of the chosen energy plan. Utilizes limited examples to support the explanation, and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the issues that must be overcome to ensure effectiveness of the chosen energy plan; however, examples are not utilized to support the explanation and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the issues that must be overcome to ensure effectiveness of the chosen energy plan is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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 - 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.