Distinguished - Provides an engaging introductory paragraph and presents a succinct thesis statement with a brief, objective forecast of the research, analysis, and conclusions to follow in the body.

Proficient - Provides an introductory paragraph succinctly introducing the topic, but does not objectively forecast the research, analysis, and conclusions to follow in the body.

Basic - Provides an introductory paragraph with an adequate introduction of the topic but does not provide a workable framework for the body of the paper.

Below Expectations - Provides an introductory paragraph that is confusing and/or redundant and that fails to provide any indication of the research, analysis and conclusions to follow in the body.

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

Distinguished - The source summaries provide a rich and detailed generalization of the academic source materials and clearly explain the manner in which they will contribute to the paper.

Proficient - The source summaries provide reasonable generalizations of the academic source materials and explain the manner in which they will contribute to the paper. Some details could use clarification or be more fully developed.

Basic - The source summaries provide basic generalizations of the academic source materials and explain the manner in which they will contribute to the paper. The summaries are either vague and/or under-developed, or they neglect to fully address how the sources will be utilized in the paper.

Below Expectations - The source summaries are attempted, but they lack the number of required components described in the assignment instructions. The summaries do not attempt to address how they will contribute to the paper.

Non-Performance - The source summaries are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The totality of the academic source materials utilized is of the highest quality, university-level standards.

Proficient - The totality of the academic source materials utilized meets university-level standards. A minority of academic sources may be of limited value to the thesis.

Basic - A majority of the academic source materials utilized meet university-level standards. Some of the sources utilized are either commercial websites of dubious academic merit or sources may be unrelated to the thesis.

Below Expectations - A minimal number of academic sources utilized are of university-level standards. The majority of sources utilized are either commercial websites of dubious academic merit. A majority or of sources may be unrelated to the thesis.

Non-Performance - The academic source materials are either nonexistent or the quality of the source materials 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 - 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 limited 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.