Distinguished - Formulates a compelling summary or anecdotal lead that engages the audience.

Proficient - Formulates a summary or anecdotal lead that engages the audience. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Formulates a limited summary or anecdotal lead and/or does not entirely engage the audience. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to formulate a summary or anecdotal lead; however, does not engage the audience and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The formulation of a summary or anecdotal lead engages the audience is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly examines various perspectives through interviews and research using quotes and attributions.

Proficient - Examines various perspectives through interviews and research using quotes and attributions. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially examines various perspectives through interviews and research using quotes and attributions. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to examine various perspectives through interviews and research using quotes and attributions. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The examination of various perspectives through interviews and research using quotes and attributions is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Coherently organizes the story by creating logical connections and using highly appropriate transitions throughout the story.

Proficient - Organizes the story by creating logical connections and using appropriate transitions throughout the story.

Basic - Organizes the story by creating somewhat logical connections and using some transitions throughout the story.

Below Expectations - Organizes the story by attempting to create logical connections and using some transitions throughout the story; however, the connections and transitions are not appropriate.

Non-Performance - The organization of the story by creating logical connections and using transitions throughout the story is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses an exceptional graphic image that aligns with the story.

Proficient - Uses an appropriate graphic image that aligns with the story.

Basic - Uses a basic graphic image that somewhat aligns with the story.

Below Expectations - Uses a graphic image that does not align with the story.

Non-Performance - The use of a graphic image that aligns with the story 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 - 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.

Distinguished - Accurately uses AP formatting consistently throughout the paper.

Proficient - Exhibits AP formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors.

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of AP formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all AP requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of AP formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as AP.

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