Distinguished - Comprehensively uses the five learning outcomes to help guide the letter.

Proficient - Comprehensively uses four learning outcomes to help guide the letter.

Basic - Comprehensively uses three learning outcomes to help guide the letter.

Below Expectations - Comprehensively uses at least two learning outcomes to help guide the letter.

Non-Performance - The use of the five learning outcomes as guide for letter is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides exceptional thought, insight, and advice in the letter based on research and course concepts.

Proficient - Provides thought, insight, and advice in the letter based on research and course concepts, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly provides some thought, insight, and advice in the letter based on research and course concepts, and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide thought, insight, and advice in the letter based on research and course concepts; however, significant details are missing and much of the paper is a summary of the research and/or course content.

Non-Performance - The advice provided which is to be based on research and course concepts is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly applies research and course concepts to personal experiences.

Proficient - Applies research and course concepts to personal experiences, but the application is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.

Basic - Somewhat applies research and course concepts to personal experiences, and the application is unclear and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply research and course concepts to personal experiences; however, the application is significantly unclear and underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The application of research and course concepts to personal experiences is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Effectively uses the draft/outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Adequately uses the draft/outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Uses some draft/outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

Uses minimal draft/outline feedback in the development of the final paper.

The incorporation of outline feedback in the development of the final paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

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

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The 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 - Paragraphs are well-developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Proficient - Paragraphs are adequately developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Basic - Paragraphs are basic with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Below Expectations - Paragraphs are not adequately developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Non-Performance - The paragraph development is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Adapts and employs skills, abilities, theories, and/or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations. Solves difficult problems and/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 - Minimally utilizes skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to a new situation.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation in a new situation; however, the attempts are ineffective.

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.