Distinguished - Develops a comprehensive thesis statement that synthesizes the assignment.

Proficient - Develops a thesis statement that partially synthesizes the elements of the assignment.

Basic - Minimally develops a thesis statement but misses key elements of the assignment.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a thesis statement; however, the thesis does not synthesize the elements of the assignment.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately outlines key issues and three psychological symptoms victims experienced in disasters.

Proficient - Accurately outlines key issues and three psychological symptoms victims experienced in disasters. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Outlines key issues and three psychological symptoms victims experienced in disasters. Relevant details are missing, inaccurate, and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outlines key issues; however, fewer than three psychological symptoms victims experienced in disasters are present and significant details are missing, inaccurate, and unclear.

Non-Performance - The outline of key issues and three psychological symptoms victims experienced in disasters are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes the content of the sources and thoroughly explains how the sources will be used in an annotated bibliography that includes five scholarly sources, three of which are from the Ashford University Library.

Proficient - Summarizes the content of the sources, and explains how the sources will be used in an annotated bibliography that includes five scholarly sources, three of which are from the Ashford University Library. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the content of the sources, and partially explains how the sources will be used in an annotated bibliography that includes at least four sources, three of which may be from the Ashford University Library. The sources may not be scholarly and/or relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the content of the sources, and explain how the sources will be used in an annotated bibliography; however, includes fewer than five sources, fewer than three are from the Ashford University Library, the sources are not scholarly, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of the sources, and explanation of how the sources will be used in an annotated bibliography are either nonexistent or lack 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 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.