Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses the results of investing based on the stage of growth. Utilizes strong, relevant examples to support the discussion.

Proficient - Discusses the results of investing based on the stage of growth. Utilizes relevant examples, but the discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially discusses the results of investing based on the stage of growth. Utilizes somewhat relevant examples, and/or the discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the results of investing based on the stage of growth; however, relevant examples are not utilized and/or the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the results of investing based on the stage of growth is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive analysis of the trends that influence investing and the results. Effectively applies course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of the trends that influence investing and the results. Sufficiently applies vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources but the analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a vague analysis of the trends that influence investing. Minimally applies vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources, and the analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of the trends that influence investing; however, vocabulary and course concepts from the text and/or additional scholarly sources are not applied, and the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of trends that influence investing is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively predicts the future of venture capital investment activity based on the Money Tree report. Effectively utilizes strong, relevant examples to support the prediction.

Proficient - Predicts the future of venture capital investment activity based on the Money Tree report. Sufficiently utilizes relevant examples to support the prediction, but minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely predicts the future venture of capital investment activity based on the Money Tree report. Somewhat utilizes examples to support the prediction, but relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to predict the future of capital investment activity based on the Money Tree report; however, examples are not utilized to support the prediction, and significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The prediction for the future of venture capital investing 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 - 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.

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 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 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 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 assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.