Distinguished - Develops a thorough introduction and thesis statement for the Final Portfolio. The introduction and thesis statement give a clear direction and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Develops an introduction and thesis statement for the Final Portfolio. The direction and purpose of the paper are slightly unclear, and minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly develops an introduction and thesis statement for the Final Portfolio. The direction and purpose of the paper are unclear, and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop an introduction and thesis statement for the Final Portfolio. The direction and purpose of the paper are significantly unclear, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The development of an introduction and thesis statement for the final portfolio are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly develops at least three body paragraphs that individually address three forms of communication. The paragraphs are clearly supported with scholarly sources.

Proficient - Develops at least three body paragraphs that individually address three forms of communication. The paragraphs are supported with scholarly sources, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly develops three body paragraphs that individually address three forms of communication. The paragraphs are somewhat supported with scholarly sources and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop body paragraphs that individually address three forms of communication; however, less than three paragraphs are present, the paragraphs are not supported with scholarly sources, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The body paragraphs that individually address three forms of communication are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies four or more theories or models of communication in the body paragraphs and clearly applies them to the three forms of communication.

Proficient - Identifies four theories or models of communication in the body paragraphs and applies them to the three forms of communication, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Identifies two or three theories or models of communication in the body paragraphs and applies them to the three forms of communication; however, relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Identifies one theory or model of communication in the body paragraphs and attempts to apply the theory or model to the three forms of communication; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The identification of four theories or models of communication is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops a thorough conclusion for the Final Portfolio. The thesis statement is clearly restated in the conclusion.

Proficient - Develops a conclusion for the Final Portfolio. The thesis statement is somewhat unclear.

Basic - Briefly develops a conclusion for the Final Portfolio. The thesis statement is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a conclusion for the Final Portfolio. The thesis statement is significantly unclear.

Non-Performance - The development of a conclusion for the Final Portfolio is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions

Distinguished - Creates meaningful correlations among experiences outside of the classroom to demonstrate an understanding of the given field of study and to broaden one's own viewpoints.

Proficient - Compares life experiences and academic knowledge to distinguish differences and similarities while acknowledging perspectives other than one's own.

Basic - Recognizes correlations between life experiences, academic texts, and ideas perceived as similar and related to one's own interests.

Below Expectations - Briefly comments about the connections between one's life experiences and academic texts.

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

Distinguished - Assesses changes in one's own learning over time, recognizing varied contextual factors (e.g., works with ambiguity and risk, deals with frustration, considers ethical frameworks).

Proficient - Effectively assesses strengths and challenges within specific performances or events to increase effectiveness in different contexts (through increased self-awareness).

Basic - Assesses one's own performances with general descriptions of success and failure.

Below Expectations - Unsuccessfully assesses one's own performances with general descriptors of success and failure.

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.