Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Selects a challenging topic that has clear and compelling arguments on more than one side and does an excellent job of establishing these aspects.

Proficient - Selects a challenging and multi-sided topic with compelling arguments on more than one side, but needs to more clearly establish these aspects for the reader.

Basic - Selects an acceptable topic, but does not adequately establish that the topic is challenging or multi-sided. Does not clearly delineate why distinct persuasive goals are possible with this topic.

Below Expectations - Selects a topic that is not sufficiently challenging, and the persuasive goal is one that most people already accept.

Non-Performance - The topic and persuasive goals are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly applies at least three persuasive methods to the selected topic. The applications of methods are entirely appropriate and effective.

Proficient - Applies three persuasive methods to the selected topic. The applications of methods are appropriate, effective, but are slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially applies at least two persuasive methods to the selected topic. The application of methods are somewhat appropriate, somewhat effective, and are unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply three persuasive methods to the selected topic, however, the application of methods are not appropriate, not effective and are significantly unclear.

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

Distinguished - Creates a comprehensive visual presentation that conveys information on both a visual and informational level. Fully extends and enhances the persuasive argument presented in the paper.

Proficient - Creates a good visual presentation that works well on both a visual and informational level. Extends and enhances the persuasive argument presented in the paper.

Basic - Creates an acceptable visual presentation on the visual and informational level. Somewhat extends and/or enhances the persuasive argument presented in the paper.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a presentation; however, the presentation does not include necessary visual and informational elements and does not effectively extend or enhance the argument presented in the paper.

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

Distinguished - Adapts and employs, independently, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations. Solves difficult problems or explores complex issues in original ways.

Proficient - Utilizes skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations, contributing to an understanding of problems or issues.

Basic - Attempts to utilize, in a basic way, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation, in a new situation.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize, in a basic way, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation in a new situation. Such attempts may be ineffective.

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

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

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

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

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes 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 - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing.

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer very little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations -Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer very little support to the ideas in the writing.

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 meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very 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 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.

Non-Performance - 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.