Distinguished - The draft shows such polish and completeness that it could possibly be graded as a final draft

Proficient - The draft exceeds the minimum word count requirement and the minimum source requirement; it incorporates or attempts to incorporate APA style, and it provides a developed structure and organization for providing feedback.

Basic - The draft meets the minimum word count requirement and the minimum source requirement. The content may be so raw as to make providing feedback on organization and content difficult. The draft may be missing the appropriate formatting.

Below Expectations - The draft provides barely enough content, sources, or other features essential for the instructor to provide extensive feedback.

Non-Performance - The draft provides little to no content for the instructor to provide feedback on. The draft may consist mostly of an outline and/or thesis statement.

Distinguished - Draft contains a thesis or controlling idea that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a well-conceived paragraph structure. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and advances the thesis. A concluding paragraph refers back to the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the paper, and gives final direction to the reader.

Proficient - Draft contains a thesis or controlling idea that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a paragraph structure, although the overall structure needs focus or clarity. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and advances the thesis; some detail is lacking. A concluding paragraph refers back to the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the paper, and gives final direction to the reader.

Basic - Draft contains a thesis or controlling idea; however, it either does not appear in the introduction or it lacks sufficient focus. The thesis is developed through a basic paragraph structure, although not all paragraphs contain a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and/or advances the thesis. The conclusion does not refer back to the paper’s thesis, does not adequately summarize the main points, or does not give final direction to the reader.

Below Expectations - Draft is centered on a topic or theme, but it lacks a thesis or controlling idea that focuses the paper. The topic or theme is minimally developed through a paragraph structure; topic sentences are absent, and some paragraphs do not advance the topic. The concluding paragraph is absent, or it does not refer back to the paper’s thesis, summarize the main points, and/or give final direction to the reader.

Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper structure is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Draft’s thesis or controlling idea develops in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas and through the use of interesting examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which are drawn from scholarly sources and relate clearly to the main idea.  Draft is 750 to 2500 words in length.

Proficient - Draft’s thesis or controlling idea is developed in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas, and through the use of examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which are drawn from scholarly sources and mostly relate to the main idea. Draft is 750  to 2500 words in length.

Basic - Draft’s thesis or controlling idea is apparent in the body of the paper, although the sequence of ideas lacks logic or focus. Draft includes some examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases drawn from scholarly sources. Draft is 750 to 2500 words in length.

Below Expectations - Draft’s thesis or controlling idea is minimally developed in the body of the paper; the sequence of ideas lacks logic and focus. Paragraphs are not adequately supported by examples and evidence and/or the draft does not meet the minimum length requirement.

Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper development is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Draft utilizes techniques of formal research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, illustrating careful attention to word choice and sentence construction.

Proficient - Draft utilizes techniques of formal research writing for a majority of the essay. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Basic - Draft utilizes techniques of research writing, including language that is mostly appropriate to audience and purpose, although not entirely concise. Errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Below Expectations - Draft addresses a subject that warrants formal research writing techniques, but the content is not concise and contains language inappropriate to audience and/or purpose. Various errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper style is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Draft uses the proper conventions of the English language, including correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Minor mechanical errors may be present, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Proficient - Draft uses the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors exist, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Basic - Draft uses the proper conventions of the English language most of the time. Some mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Below Expectations - Draft does not utilize many of the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Non-Performance - An appropriate use of grammar is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Expertly incorporates 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 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 sources are either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Draft uses accurate APA formatting consistently throughout the paper. Draft contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Proficient - Draft uses APA formatting throughout the paper, but contains minor errors. Draft contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Basic - Draft uses some APA formatting, but does not meet all APA requirements. Draft contains a title page and reference page.

Below Expectations - Draft minimally uses APA formatting and includes numerous errors that may distract from the essay’s content. Draft may not contain a title page and/or reference page.

Non-Performance - Use of APA formatting is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.