Distinguished - Completely explains the background and thoroughly discusses how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Proficient - Clearly explains the background and includes some discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Basic - Somewhat explains the background with little discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Below Expectations - Fails to explain the background section with no discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the background is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Completely explains the market needs and thoroughly discusses how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Proficient - Explains the market needs and includes some discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Basic - Somewhat explains the market needs with little discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Below Expectations - Fails to explain the market needs section with no discussion on how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the market needs is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Extensively explains the market section; thoroughly examines and discusses the components of the section. Discusses how each component contributes to the overall success of the organization.

Proficient - Clearly explains the market section and includes some discussion on how each component contributes to the organization’s overall success.

Basic - Moderately explains the market section with little discussion on how each component contributes to the organization’s overall success.

Below Expectations - Fails to explain the market section; no discussion on how each component contributes to the organization’s overall success.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the market is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

Proficient - Clearly explains in details the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate 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 non-existent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible source(s), to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employes applicable information from credible source(s), to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible source(s), but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external source(s), but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance.  Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent 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 and/or evidence 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 and/or evidence 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 - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence in the writing. Such sources/evidence may also be unrelated, offering no support to the ideas in the writing.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent 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 or syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

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

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title 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.  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 non-existent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirements predetermined in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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

Distinguished - Provides ample resources and uses the correct amount of sources from the specified search agent.

Proficient - Provides the approximate number of sources, while using some of the correct search agents specified in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Provides over half of the  sources required in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Barely provides adequate resources and unable to include sources from specified search agent.

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