Distinguished - Identifies a theorist and comprehensively describes a theory that aligns with personal view of sociology.

Proficient - Identifies a theorist and describes a theory that aligns with personal view of sociology.

Basic - Identifies and somewhat describes a theory that aligns with personal view of sociology.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify a theorist and describe a theory that aligns with personal view of sociology.

Non-Performance - The theorist and theory are either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides three thorough and well thought out reasons that support the choosing of the theorist and theory. A clear relationship is made between the supporting reasons and personal view of sociology.

Proficient - Provides three effective  reasons to support the choosing of the theorist and theory. An association is made between the supporting reasons and personal view of sociology.

Basic - Provides three reasons that somewhat support the choosing of the theorist and theory. A link is made between the supporting reasons and personal view of sociology.

Below Expectations - Provides three or fewer reasons to support the choosing of the theorist and theory. A correlation between the supporting reasons and personal view of sociology is lacking.

Non-Performance - The three reasons supporting  the theorist/theory are either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources and/or evidence that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing.

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources and/or evidence that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer very little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence in the writing. Such sources/evidence may also be unrelated, offering no support to the ideas in the writing.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the 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 non-existent 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 or syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

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

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title 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.  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 non-existent 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 requirements predetermined in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement.

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

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

Distinguished - Provides ample resources and uses the correct amount of sources from the specified search agent.

Proficient - Provides the approximate number of sources, while using some of the correct search agents specified in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Provides over half of the  sources required in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Barely provides adequate resources and unable to include sources from specified search agent.

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