Distinguished - Provides a thorough and detailed explanation of the scope of the paper. The paper is well-organized.

Proficient - Provides an explanation of the scope of the paper. The paper is well-organized but minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a brief explanation of the scope of the paper. The paper is partially organized or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provides an explanation of the scope of the paper; however, the paper is not organized and/or significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive evaluation of whether or not the potential gain in cognitive skills outweighs the potential hazard of exposing children to the very realistic portrayals of violence found in many video games.

Proficient - Provides an evaluation of whether or not the potential gain in cognitive skills outweighs the potential hazard of exposing children to the very realistic portrayals of violence found in many video games. The evaluation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited evaluation of whether or not the potential gain in cognitive skills outweighs the potential hazard of exposing children to the very realistic portrayals of violence found in many video games. The evaluation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an evaluation of whether or not the potential gain in cognitive skills outweighs the potential hazard of exposing children to the very realistic portrayals of violence found in many video games; however, the evaluation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of whether or not the potential gain in cognitive skills outweighs the potential hazard of exposing to violence in video games is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a thorough and complete conclusion that summarizes the major points of the paper.

Proficient - Creates a conclusion that summarizes the major points of the paper. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Creates a limited conclusion that summarizes only a few major points of the paper. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a conclusion that summarizes the major points of the paper; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The conclusion that summarizes the major points of the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.