Distinguished - Clearly covers the topic of the paper in the introduction, and sets up the scope and purpose of the paper in the thesis statement.

Proficient - Mostly covers the topic of the paper in the introduction, and sets up the scope and purpose of the paper in the thesis statement. Some unnecessary information is included or some pertinent information is not covered.

Basic - Somewhat covers the topic of the paper in the introduction, and sets up the scope and purpose of the paper in the thesis statement. Unnecessary information is included and/or some pertinent information is not covered.

Below Expectations - Attempts to cover the topic of the paper in the introduction, and set up the scope and purpose of the paper in the thesis statement; however; most of the introduction contains unnecessary information and/or some pertinent information is not covered.

Non-Performance - The introductory paragraph and thesis statement are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Describes a specific aspect of one's own culture from an etic perspective by thoroughly addressing the topic from an outsider's perspective. 

Proficient - Mostly describes an aspect of one’s own culture from an etic perspective by addressing the topic from an outsider's perspective. Minor detail and depth are lacking.

Basic - Somewhat describes an aspect of one’s own culture from an etic perspective by partially addressing the topic from an outsider's perspective. Relevant detail and depth are lacking.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe an aspect of one’s own culture from an etic perspective; however, significant detail and depth are lacking.

Non-Performance - The description of one's own culture from an etic perspective is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Describes an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective by thoroughly addressing the topic from an insider's perspective.

Proficient - Mostly describes an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective by addressing the topic from an insider's perspective. Minor detail and depth are lacking.

Basic - Partially describes an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective by somewhat addressing the topic from an insider's perspective. Relevant detail and depth are lacking.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe an aspect of another culture from an emic perspective; however, significant detail and depth are lacking.

Non-Performance - The description of another culture from an emic perspective is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates a perspective of cultural relativism throughout the paper. No judgmental or opinionated language is used.

Proficient - Mostly demonstrates a perspective of cultural relativism throughout the paper. There are few instances of judgmental or opinionated language.

Basic - Somewhat demonstrates a perspective of cultural relativism throughout the paper. There are some instances of judgmental or opinionated language.

Below Expectations - Attempts to demonstrate a perspective of cultural relativism; however, there are many instances of judgmental or opinionated language. 

Non-Performance - The demonstration of a perspective of cultural relativism is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a concluding paragraph that fully summarizes the major points from each section of the paper, provides a self-reflexive analysis, and reaffirms the thesis.

Proficient - Provides a concluding paragraph that mostly summarizes the major points from each section of the paper, provides a self-reflexive analysis, and reaffirms the thesis. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a concluding paragraph that somewhat summarizes the major points from each section of the paper, provides a self-reflexive analysis, and reaffirms the thesis. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a concluding paragraph that summarizes the major points from each section of the paper, provide a self-reflexive analysis, and reaffirm the thesis; however, significant details are missing. 

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

Distinguished - Effectively incorporates accurate in-text citations from relevant and high-quality sources.

Proficient - Incorporates in-text citations from relevant and high-quality sources. The citations may be slightly inaccurate or more citations could have been included. 

Basic - Incorporates some in-text citations from sources. The citations are inaccurate and more citations could have been included.

Below Expectations - Attempts to incorporate in-text citations from sources; however, in many areas of the paper, there could be more in-text citations and/or in-text citations are not used correctly.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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 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.