Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communication. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support all claims.

Proficient - Explains key principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communication. The explanation of key terms/themes is slightly underdeveloped, or some details are unclear. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support most claims.

Basic - Partially explains some key principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communication. The explanation of key terms/themes is underdeveloped, and/or relevant details are missing. Uses course materials, though not always with full citations, to support some claims.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain some key principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communication; however, the explanation of key terms/themes is significantly underdeveloped, and significant details are missing. Does not use course materials, with full citations, to support claims.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the principles of and barriers to effective interpersonal communications is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support all claims.

Proficient - Adequately analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem. The analysis is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support most claims.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem.  The analysis is unclear or underdeveloped.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support some claims.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the role of communication in developing and maintaining self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem; however, the analysis is significantly unclear or underdeveloped.  Does not use course materials, with full citations, sufficiently to support claims.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the role of communication in developing and maintaining one’s self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.  

Distinguished - Clearly illustrates the importance of self-disclosure and emotional intelligence in various relationships. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support all claims.

Proficient - Adequately illustrates the importance of self-disclosure and emotional intelligence in various relationships. The illustration is slightly unclear.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support most claims.

Basic - Somewhat illustrates the importance of self-disclosure and emotional intelligence in various relationships. The illustration is unclear.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support some claims.

Below Expectations - Attempts to illustrate the importance of self-disclosure and emotional intelligence in various relationships; however, the illustration is significantly unclear.  Does not use course materials, with full citations, sufficiently to support claims.

Non-Performance - The illustration of the importance of self-disclosure and emotional intelligence in various relationships is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Systematically evaluates two strategies for using communication techniques to resolve conflict.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support all claims.

Proficient - Adequately evaluates at least two strategies for using communication techniques to resolve conflict.  The evaluation is slightly underdeveloped. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support most claims.

Basic - Minimally evaluates two strategies for using communication techniques to resolve conflict.  The evaluation is underdeveloped. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support some claims.    

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate one to two strategies for using communication techniques to resolve conflict; however, the evaluation is significantly underdeveloped.  Does not use course materials, with full citations, to support claims.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of strategies for using communication techniques to resolve conflict is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support all claims.

Proficient - Adequately analyzes the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communication. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.  Uses course materials, with full citations, to support most claims.           

Basic - Partially analyzes the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communication.  The analysis is underdeveloped. Uses course materials, with full citations, to support some claims.       

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communication; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped. Does not use course materials, with full citations, to support claims. 

Non-Performance - The analysis of the  impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communication is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.  

Distinguished - Provides exceptional advice in the letter based on research and course concepts.

Proficient - Provides sufficient advice in the letter based on research and course concepts, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly provides advice, based on research and course concepts, but relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide advice, based on research and course concepts, but significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The provision of advice based on research and course concepts is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly uses personal experiences to illustrate key points and offer advice.

Proficient - Adequately uses personal experiences to illustrate key points and offer advice.

Basic - Somewhat uses personal experiences to illustrate key points and offer advice. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to use personal experiences to illustrate key points and offer advice.

Non-Performance - The application of research and course concepts to personal experiences is either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Paragraphs are well-developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Proficient - Paragraphs are adequately developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Basic - Paragraphs are partially developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

Below Expectations - Paragraphs are not adequately developed with each making a single point that directly relates back to the thesis statement.

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

Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion 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.