Distinguished - Identifies and provides an exceptional explanation of the topic, including a well-developed problem statement.

Proficient - Identifies and provides an adequate explanation of the topic, including a problem statement.

Basic - Identifies and provides a basic explanation of the topic. A problem statement is included, but lacks a few components.

Below Expectations - Identifies a topic, but provides an insufficient explanation of the topic. A problem statement is not included.

Non-Performance - The identification and explanation of the topic, including a problem statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the research process and comprehensively details how the research will be conducted.

Proficient - Adequately explains the research process and how research will be conducted, but a few minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly explains the research process and how research will be conducted. Several major elements are not included.

Below Expectations - Fails to adequately explain the research process and how research will be conducted.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the research process and how research will be conductedis either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively discusses the relevant literature appropriate to the issues at hand.

Proficient - Clearly discusses the relevant literature appropriate to the issues at hand. The discussion is missing a few minor points.

Basic - Briefly discusses the relevant literature appropriate to the issues at hand. Important components of the discussion are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the relevant literature appropriate to the issues at hand. The discussion lacks the components necessary to be considered complete.

Non-Performance - The discussion of relevant literature appropriate to the issues at hand is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author’s explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text, general background understanding, and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message; draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary and makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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 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.