Distinguished - Includes a well-constructed introduction that presents a comprehensive overview of a particular business’s problem. The introduction presents a thesis statement that gives a clear direction and purpose to the paper, and provides a solution or initiative to the problem identified.

Proficient - Includes an introduction that presents an overview of a particular business’s problem, though some details of the problem might be slightly underdeveloped or unclear. The introduction presents a thesis statement that, for the most part, gives direction and purpose to the paper by providing a possible solution or initiative to the problem identified. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Includes a brief introduction that presents a limited overview of a particular business’s problem, but the details of the problem are either unclear or underdeveloped. The introduction presents a thesis but gives minimal direction and purpose to the paper by providing an unclear solution or initiative to the problem identified. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an introduction and thesis statement; however, the introduction presents a significantly limited overview of a particular business’s problem and the thesis does not present a clear solution or initiative to the problem identified. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively addresses at least three key issues that clearly support the thesis statement with relevant points and critical thought. 

Proficient - Addresses at least three key issues that support the thesis statement with relevant points and critical thought. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear. 

Basic - Minimally addresses at least three key issues that support the thesis statement with somewhat relevant points and limited critical thought. Relevant details are missing or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to address at least three key issues that support the thesis statement with relevant points and critical thought; however, fewer than three key issues were addressed and significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The three key issues that support the thesis statement with relevant points and critical thought are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - (Includes a fully-developed conclusion that restates the draft’s main points and reaffirms the thesis.

Proficient - Includes a conclusion that restates the draft’s main points and reaffirms the thesis. This final paragraph is slightly underdeveloped.  

Basic - Includes a conclusion that somewhat restates the draft’s main points and minimally reaffirms the thesis. This final paragraph is underdeveloped.   

Below Expectations - Includes a conclusion that attempts to restate the draft’s main points and reaffirm the thesis; however, this final paragraph is significantly underdeveloped.  

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

Distinguished - Properly employs all existing conventions for the specific type of assignment (e.g., lab report, academic paper, personal essay, etc.) and the specific academic field (e.g., science, business, English, etc.). 

Proficient - Properly employs most of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment and the specific academic field.

Basic - Employs some existing conventions for the specific type of assignment and the specific type of academic field.

Below Expectations - Employs very few of the existing conventions for the specific type of assignment and the specific type of academic field.

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

Distinguished - Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem. Identifies consequences of the solution and clearly communicates the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient - Carefully chooses among alternatives and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solve.

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

Distinguished - Clearly evaluates own and others' assumptions and carefully determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Proficient - Evaluates own and others' assumptions and determines the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Basic - Evaluates many assumptions and identifies the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

Below Expectations - Evaluates some assumptions, although the evaluation is incomplete. May inadequately identify the importance of contexts when presenting a position.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent 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 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 - 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 - 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.