Distinguished - The paper is well organized with the introduction that provides sufficient background on the topic, thesis statement, and the conclusion that is logical, and smoothly flows from the body of the paper.

Proficient - The paper is organized with the introduction that provides background on the topic, thesis statement, and the conclusion that is logical but not quite smooth.

Basic - The paper is organized with the introduction and the conclusion, but the introduction and/or the conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with the introduction and the conclusion, and the introduction and/or the conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction and the conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly assesses the level of creativity. Supports the explanation with several relevant examples. 

Proficient - Assesses the level of creativity. Supports the explanation with relevant examples. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially assesses the level of creativity. Supports the explanation examples. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess the level of creativity; however, did not support the explanation with examples and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The assessment of the level of creativity is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the role of creativity in the profession. Supports explanation with several relevant examples. 

Proficient - Explains the role of creativity in the profession. Supports the explanation with relevant examples. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the role of creativity in the profession. Supports the explanation with examples. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the role of creativity in the profession; however, does not support explanation with examples and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - An explanation of the role of creativity in the profession is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes at least two typical business situations in which creative thinking would lead to realizing better solutions or achieving opportunities. Effectively applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text.

Proficient - Describes at least two typical business situations in which creative thinking would lead to realizing better solutions or achieving opportunities. Sufficiently applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describes at least two typical business situations in which creative thinking would lead to realizing better solutions or achieving opportunities. Somewhat applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text, and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe at least two typical business situations in which creative thinking would lead to realizing better solutions or achieving opportunities; however, does not apply concepts and vocabulary from the text and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of at least two typical business situations in which creative thinking would lead to realizing better solutions or achieving opportunities is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes at least one thing that needs to be done differently to foster creative thinking approaches in business situations. Effectively applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text.

Proficient - Describes at least one thing that needs to be done differently to foster creative thinking approaches in business situations. Sufficiently applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text, but minor details are missing.

Basic - (Partially describes at least one thing that needs to be done differently to foster creative thinking approaches in business situations. Somewhat applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text, and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe at least one thing that needs to be done differently to foster creative thinking approaches in business situations; however, does not apply concepts and vocabulary from the text and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of at least one thing that needs to be done differently to foster creative thinking approaches in business situations is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains three actions to take to increase personal creativity. Effectively applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text.

Proficient - Explains three actions to take to increase personal creativity. Sufficiently applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains three actions to take to increase personal creativity. Somewhat applies the concepts and vocabulary from the text. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain three actions to take to increase personal creativity; however, does not apply concepts and vocabulary from the text and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of three actions to take to increase personal creativity is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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