Distinguished - Exceptionally clear and focused description of the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach and the scope of the paper or presentation.

Proficient - Describes the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach and the scope of the paper or presentation. Some relevant information is missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach and the scope of the paper or presentation. Some of the above components are unclear.

Below Expectations -Attempts to describe the issue, why it was selected, the perspective of approach and the scope of the paper or presentation; however the overall direction of the paper is unclear.

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

Distinguished -Thoroughly and comprehensively describes the relevance and importance of topic/issue to be investigated. Provides exceptional literature sources to support the importance of the issue/topic.

Proficient - Describes the relevance and importance of topic/issue to be investigated. Provides literature sources to support the importance of the issue/topic. Some details may be missing.

Basic -Somewhat describes the relevance and importance of topic/issue to be investigated. Provides limited literature sources to support the importance of the issue/topic. Some details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the relevance and importance of topic/issue to be investigated, but it is unclear. May not provide limited literature sources to support the importance of the issue/topic. Many details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Provides paraphrased narratives of the research studies that support the topic/issue being investigated. Thoroughly analyzes research studies regarding methodology and implications of the findings.

Proficient - Provides paraphrased narratives of the research studies that support the topic/issue being investigated. Analyzes research studies regarding methodology and implications of the findings. Some information may be missing.

Basic -Provides paraphrased narratives of the research studies that support the topic/issue being investigated. May not analyze research studies regarding methodology and implications of the findings and/or there are inaccuracies.

Below Expectations - Attempts to paraphrase and analyze the research studies. Information is incomplete and/ or inaccurate.

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

Distinguished - Provides a clear summary of the problem/issue, the methodology, findings, and possible solutions.

Proficient - Provides a summary of the problem/issue, the methodology, findings, and possible solutions. Some information may be missing.

Basic - Provides a minimal summary of the problem/issue, the methodology, findings, and possible solutions. Many details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a summary of the problem/issue, the methodology, findings, and possible solutions. It is incomplete and/or not clear.

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

Distinguished -Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient -Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations -Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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

Distinguished - Autonomously synthesizes or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Proficient - Autonomously correlates examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Basic -Attempts to correlate examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Below Expectations -When prompted, displays inconsistent examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

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

Distinguished -Employs persuasive 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 - Displays information from external sources, 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 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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

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

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 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 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.