Distinguished - Demonstrates a thoroughly accurate understanding of the topic throughout the paper.

Proficient - Demonstrates an accurate understanding of the topic.

Basic - Demonstrates a mostly accurate understanding of the topic, and some details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to demonstrate an understanding of the topic; however, many relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Uses wholly relevant examples from research and the reading to support the salient points.

Proficient - Uses many relevant examples from research and the reading to support the salient points.

Basic - Uses some relevant examples from research and the reading to support the salient points.

Below Expectations - Uses few relevant examples from research and the reading to support the salient points.

Non-Performance - The examples from research and the reading needed to support the points are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Incorporates many appropriate and relevant quotes from the Discussion Forum into the paper.

Proficient - Incorporates some appropriate and relevant quotes from the Discussion Forum into the paper.

Basic - Incorporates few quotes from the Discussion Forum into the paper, but not all quotes chosen were relevant to the topic.

Below Expectations - Attempts to incorporate quotes from the Discussion Forum into the paper; however, many of the quotes are not relevant to the topic.

Non-Performance - The incorporation of appropriate and relevant quotes from the Discussion Forum into the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares paragraph(s) for each source that wholly and accurately summarize the main points made by the three authors.

Proficient - Prepares paragraph(s) for each source that accurately summarize the main points made by the three authors.

Basic - Prepares paragraph(s) for each source that mostly accurately summarize the main points made by the three authors.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare paragraph(s) for each source; however, many of the points are inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The paragraph(s) for each source that summarizes the main points made by the authors are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis for each point of view introduced by the authors.

Proficient - Creates a thoughtful analysis for each point of view introduced by the authors, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Creates a somewhat thoughtful analysis for the point of view introduced by the authors, and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a thoughtful analysis for each source; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis for each source of the point of view introduced by the authors is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares paragraphs that thoroughly and thoughtfully illustrate the agreement and disagreement between the source authors.

Proficient - Prepares paragraphs that illustrate the agreement and disagreement between the sources authors. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Prepares paragraphs that partially illustrate the agreement and disagreement between the source authors. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare paragraphs that illustrate the agreement and disagreement between the source authors; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The paragraphs that illustrate the agreement and disagreement between the source authors are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares paragraphs that provide an in-depth reflection on one’s own point of view and provides a well-crafted conclusion.

Proficient - Prepares paragraphs that provide a reflection on one’s own point of view and provides an adequate conclusion. The reflection or conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Prepares paragraphs that somewhat provide a reflection on one’s own point of view and provides a limited conclusion. The reflection and/or conclusion are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare paragraphs that provide a reflection on one’s own point of view and provide a conclusion; however, reflection and conclusion are severely underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The paragraphs providing reflection and a conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable 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 - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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 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.