Distinguished - Introduction paragraph is engaging and clearly introduces the topic. Thesis statement is focused and succinct, and clearly identifies the writer’s position.

Proficient - Introduction paragraph clearly introduces the topic. Some relevant details may be missing. Thesis statement is succinct and identifies the writer’s position.

Basic - Introduction paragraph briefly introduces topic, but many relevant details are missing. Thesis statement is present, but may not be succinct and may not clearly identify the writer’s position.

Below Expectations - The topic is difficult to determine from the introduction paragraph. Thesis statement is unclear, is not present, or does not identify the writer’s position.

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

Distinguished - Ideas are complex and stimulating and show original thinking, strong intellectual impact, and in-depth analysis. Credible outside sources are smoothly integrated and effectively used to support writer’s position.

Proficient - Ideas are somewhat original and are well thought out and competently analyzed. Some relevant details may be missing. Credible outside sources are used to support writer’s position and may or may not be smoothly integrated.

Basic - Ideas are not original but are clear, adequately analyzed, and investigated. Many relevant details may be missing. Some outside sources are used to support writer’s position.

Below Expectations - Ideas have little depth or analysis. Many relevant details are missing. Outside sources may not be used to support writer’s position.

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

Distinguished - Readers’ opposing views, arguments, and questions are effectively acknowledged and thoroughly addressed.

Proficient - Readers’ opposing views, arguments, and questions are acknowledged and addressed. Some relevant details may be missing.

Basic - Readers’ opposing views, arguments, and questions are acknowledged; however, they are not fully addressed. Many relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Readers’ opposing views, arguments, and questions are acknowledged, but they are not addressed.

Non-Performance - The acknowledgement and addressing of opposing views is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Conclusion paragraph effectively reaffirms thesis, enhances the impact of the position, and provides finality.

Proficient - Conclusion paragraph proficiently reaffirms thesis, enhances the impact of the position, and provides finality.

Basic - Conclusion paragraph reaffirms thesis, but may not enhance the impact of the position or provide finality.

Below Expectations - Conclusion paragraph does not reaffirm thesis.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Specific position is inventive, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Proficient - Specific position is adequate, considering some of the complexities of an issue. Limits of position are recognized.
Other viewpoints are synthesized within position.

Basic - Specific position is adequate, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are recognized but are not synthesized within position.

Below Expectations - Specific position lacks inventiveness and insufficiently considers the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of position are overlooked. Other viewpoints are not recognized within position.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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 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 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.