Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the research topic, and provides reasoning as to why it was selected.

Proficient - Explains the research topic, and provides reasoning as to why it was selected. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly explains the research topic, and provides reasoning as to why it was selected. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the research topic; however, the reasoning is insufficient and significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Accurately annotates at least six sources. Each annotation thoroughly summarizes the purpose, content, evidence, and relation for each source (i.e., two websites, three scholarly articles, and one scholarly book). Each annotation is 100 to 150 words in length.

Proficient - Annotates at least six sources. Each annotation mostly summarizes the purpose, content, evidence, and relation for each source (i.e., two website, three scholarly articles, and one scholarly book). Each annotation is 100 to 150 words in length. The annotations contain few inaccuracies. 

Basic - Annotates at least six sources. Each annotation somewhat summarizes the purpose, content, evidence, and relation for each source (i.e., two website, three scholarly articles, and one scholarly book). Each annotation is 100 to 150 words in length. The annotations contain some inaccuracies.

Below Expectations - Minimally annotates less than the six sources. Each annotation does not summarize the purpose, content, evidence, and relation for each source (i.e., two website, three scholarly articles, and one scholarly book), and each annotation may not meet the 100 to 150 words in length. The annotations contain many inaccuracies.

Non-Performance - The annotations of the required six sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Completely evaluates each source using the CRAAP Test. Each criterion is fully considered in the response and thoroughly explains why this source would be useful in a larger research paper. The evaluation is 100 to 150 words in length.

Proficient - Evaluates each source using the CRAAP Test. Each criterion is considered in the response and explains why this source would be useful in a larger research paper. The evaluation is 100 to 150 words in length.

Basic - Partially evaluates each source using the CRAAP Test. Each criteria is somewhat considered in the response and explains why this source would be useful in a larger research paper. The evaluation is 100 to 150 words in length.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate each source using the CRAAP Test; however, most of the criteria are not considered in the response. Does not explain why this source would be useful in a larger research paper. The evaluation may not meet the 100 to 150 words in length.

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

Distinguished - Clearly evaluates own and others' assumptions and carefully determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Proficient - Evaluates own and others' assumptions and determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Basic - Evaluates many assumptions and identifies the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

Below Expectations - Evaluates some assumptions, although the evaluation is incomplete. May inadequately identify the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

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 little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence that may be unrelated and offer 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 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 words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.   

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.