Distinguished - Includes correct and complete contact information including a proper greeting for the query letter. 

Proficient - Includes contact information including a proper greeting for the query letter. Minor elements of the contact information are missing or incorrect.

Basic - Includes contact information including a greeting for the query letter. Relevant elements of the contact information are missing and/or incorrect.

Below Expectations - Includes contact information including a greeting for the query letter; however, substantial elements of the contact information are missing or incorrect.

Non-Performance - The contact information including a greeting for the query letter is nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a strong lead that is both informative and compelling.

Proficient - Creates a lead that is both informative and compelling.

Basic - Creates a lead that is either lacking in information or is not adequately compelling.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a lead; however, it is lacking in information and is not compelling.

Non-Performance - The creation of a strong lead that is both informative and compelling is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops a strong and clear supporting paragraph. 

Proficient - Develops a supporting paragraph. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Develops a limited supporting paragraph. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a supporting paragraph; however, substantial details are missing and unclear.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes the unique selling points of the topic.

Proficient - Describes the unique selling points of the topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the unique selling points of the topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the unique selling points of the topic; however, substantial details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the unique selling points of the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes previous work that fully demonstrates expertise and credibility.

Proficient - Includes previous work that demonstrates expertise and credibility, but is not directly related to the topic.

Basic - Includes previous work that somewhat demonstrates expertise and credibility, but is not related to the topic.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include previous work; however, does not demonstrate expertise or credibility relating to the topic.

Non-Performance - The inclusion of previous work that clearly demonstrates expertise and credibility is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a strong concluding paragraph that effectively summarizes the topic.

Proficient - Creates a concluding paragraph that summarizes the topic. Minor points are missing.

Basic - Creates a limited concluding paragraph that somewhat summarizes the topic. Relevant points are missing.

Below Expectations - Creates a concluding paragraph that attempts to summarize the topic; however, substantial points are missing.

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

Distinguished - Provides a preliminary list of four highly qualified sources of information according to the criteria in the assignment instructions.

Proficient - Provides a preliminary list of four qualified sources of information according to most of the criteria in the assignment instructions. 

Basic - Provides a preliminary list of four sources of information, but not all sources are qualified and meet all of the criteria in the assignment instructions. 

Below Expectations - Provides a preliminary list of less than four sources of information; however, most of the sources provided are not qualified and do not meet the criteria in the assignment instructions.

Non-Performance - The preliminary list of four qualified sources of information 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.