Distinguished - The outline is clearly organized in the format listed in the instructions and includes a well-written thesis statement, related topic sentences, and significant supporting information for each topic. The thesis statement gives a clear direction and purpose for the paper. 

Proficient - The outline is organized in the format listed in the instructions and includes a thesis statement, related topic sentences, and supporting information for each topic. The thesis statement gives direction and purpose to the paper. The outline is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - The outline is somewhat organized in the format listed in the instructions and includes a partially developed thesis statement, related topic sentences, and supporting information for most topics. The thesis statement does not provide clear direction and purpose of the assignment. The outline is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - The outline is not organized in the format listed in the instructions and attempts to develop a thesis statement, related topic sentences, and supporting information for each topic; however, the thesis statement is significantly underdeveloped making the direction and purpose of the paper unclear. The outline is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Includes ten annotations. Each contains two thoroughly written paragraphs that fully summarize the source’s major claims and thoroughly describes how the material will be utilized in the Final Project – Recommendation Report and includes a descriptive and critical assessment of each entry. Consistently uses a formal tone appropriate for audience and purpose of assignment.

Proficient - Includes at least nine annotations. Each contains two paragraphs that mostly summarize the source’s major claims and describes how the material will be utilized in the Final Project – Recommendation Report and includes a descriptive and critical assessment of each entry. Mostly uses a formal tone appropriate for audience and purpose of assignment.

Basic - Includes seven or eight annotations. Each contains one - two paragraphs that partially summarize the source’s major claims and somewhat describes how the material will be utilized in the Final Project – Recommendation Report and includes a minimal assessment of each entry. Uses a somewhat informal tone that is not appropriate for audience and purpose of assignment.

Below Expectations - Includes at least five to six annotations.  Each annotation contains at least one paragraph, but may not summarize the source’s major claims and/or describe how the material is useful to the student’s Final Project – Recommendation Report and does not include a descriptive and critical assessment of each entry. The tone is informal and is not appropriate for audience and purpose of assignment.

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

Distinguished - Includes at least ten credible scholarly sources that clearly relate to the outline’s thesis statement. Seven or more of these sources originate from the Ashford University Online Library’s databases and the remaining sources are appropriate and relevant. 

Proficient - Includes at least nine credible scholarly sources that relate to the outline’s thesis statement. At least seven of these sources originate from the Ashford University Online Library’s databases. Most of the remaining sources are appropriate.

Basic - Includes seven or eight scholarly sources that at least relate to the outline’s topic. At least five of these sources originate from the Ashford University Online Library’s databases. The remaining sources are slightly inappropriate.

Below Expectations - Includes at least five to six scholarly sources that loosely relate to the outline’s topic. At least four of these sources originate from the Ashford University Online Library’s databases. Some are inappropriate.

Non-Performance - The credible and relevant sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates an understanding of the multiple ways of reading and the range of interpretive strategies particular to a discipline or in a given community of readers.

Proficient - Demonstrates an ability to read purposefully, choosing among interpretive strategies depending on the purpose of the reading.

Basic - Identifies a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

Below Expectations - Fails to identify a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

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

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author's explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message. Draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary but makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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.