Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive explanation and position of the topic, a preview of the paper, and a thesis statement.  All elements are clear and comprehensive.

Proficient - Provides an explanation and position of the topic, a preview of the paper, and a thesis statement.  Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Provides a partial  explanation and position of the topic, a preview of the paper, or the thesis statement. Relevant details are missing or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation and position of the topic, a preview of the paper, and a thesis statement; however, significant details are missing or unclear.

Non-Performance - The explanation and position of the topic, a preview of the paper, and a thesis statement are either nonexistent or lack most of the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Presents a clear main argument for the thesis in standard form, correctly identifies its type, and thoroughly clarifies the meaning of any premises that need further information. The main argument contains no errors of logic.

Proficient - Presents a main argument for the thesis in standard form, correctly identifies its type, and clarifies the meaning of any premises that need further information. The main argument contains few errors in clarity or logic.

Basic - Presents a main argument for the thesis, identifies its type, and partially clarifies the meaning of any premises that need further information. The main argument or identification contains some errors in clarity or logic and/or is not in standard form.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present a main argument for the thesis; however, incorrectly identifies its type and does not clarify the meaning of any premises that need further information. The main argument contains many errors in clarity or logic and is not in standard form.

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

Distinguished - Provides support for all premises of the argument. The supporting evidence provides clear and appropriate reasons for thinking each premise is true.

Proficient - Provides support for all premises of the argument. The supporting evidence provides appropriate reasons for thinking each premise is true. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Provides support for most premises of the argument. The supporting evidence provides somewhat appropriate reasons for thinking each premise is true. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide support for all premises of the argument; however, the supporting evidence does not provide appropriate reasons for thinking each premise is true, and significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - Supporting evidence for the premises of the argument is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains a strong objection to the argument.

Proficient - Explains a strong objection to the argument. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially explains an objection to the argument. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear or the objection is not strong. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain an objection to the argument; however, significant details are missing and unclear, and the objection is not at all strong.

Non-Performance - The explanation of an objection to the argument is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively defends the argument against the objection. The defense has no errors of logic.

Proficient - Defends the argument against the objection. The defense has few errors in logic or clarity.

Basic - Partially defends the argument against the objection. The defense has some errors in logic and/or clarity .

Below Expectations - Attempts to defend the argument against the objection; however, the defense has many errors in logic and clarity.

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

Distinguished - The conclusion is skillfully developed and thoroughly summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - The conclusion is mostly developed and adequately summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Basic - The conclusion is present and loosely summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Below Expectations - The conclusion is present, though somewhat incomplete. It does not adequately summarize the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

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

Distinguished - The essay is clearly written and effectively organized.

Proficient - The essay is clearly written, but some details are slightly unclear or not effectively organized.

Basic - The essay is lacks relevant details, is unclear and/or  not organized.

Below Expectations - The majority of the is entirely unclear and significantly disorganized.

Non-Performance - The assignment 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 - 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 words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.   

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.