Distinguished - The introduction frames the paper well and includes a firm and succinct thesis statement at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement concerns one specific idea and expertly argues a position.

Proficient - The introduction frames the paper well and includes a thesis statement at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement needed to be more succinct and/or include more details.

Basic - The introduction frames the paper adequately. An adequate thesis statement is included at the end of the paragraph, but needs to be more succinct, detailed, and/or clear.

Below Expectations - The introductory paragraph does not frame the paper adequately. A thesis development is attempted, but the thesis is either vague or confusing. The topic is specified, but thesis may identify more than one major idea, neglects to argue a position on the topic, or does not narrow the focus beyond the general topic.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes the interaction between at least two groups of people in the Atlantic World.

Proficient - Analyzes the interaction between at least two groups of people in the Atlantic World; however, minor details are missing.

Basic - Discusses, but does not analyze, the interaction between at least two groups of people in the Atlantic World, and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyzes the interaction between at least two groups of people in the Atlantic World; however, significant details and connections are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the interaction between at least two different peoples is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how the interaction between these groups impacted a specific political, economic, social, environmental, or cultural development of a clearly identified region or regions in the Atlantic World.

Proficient - Explains how the interaction between these groups impacted a specific political, economic, social, environmental, or cultural development of a clearly identified region or regions in the Atlantic World. The explanation is missing minor details.

Basic - Outlines, but does not explain how the interaction between these groups impacted a specific political, economic, social, environmental, or cultural development of a clearly identified region or regions in the Atlantic World. The explanation is missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the interaction between these groups impacted a specific political, economic, social, environmental, or cultural development of a clearly identified region or regions in the Atlantic World; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the impact of contact between at least two peoples is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively assesses if contact led to change or a renewal of the status quo.

Proficient - Assesses if contact led to change or a renewal of the status quo; however, the assessment is slightly ineffective or minor details are missing.

Basic - Discusses, but does not assess, if contact led to change or a renewal of the status quo.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess if contact led to change or a renewal of the status quo; however, the assessment is ineffective and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The assessment of if the contact led to change or a renewal of the status quo is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops an effective, accurate, and logically sound conclusion that restates your thesis and summarizes the argument.

Proficient - Develops a conclusion that restates the thesis and summarizes the argument. Minor logical or content errors are present. The conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Develops a conclusion that minimally summarizes the argument and restates thesis, but logical or content errors are present. The conclusion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Concluding paragraph either does not incorporate a restatement of thesis or does not serve as an effective summation of argument, and/or significant logical and/or content errors are present. The conclusion is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Accurately uses appropriate formatting and citation consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Exhibits proper formatting and citation throughout the paper. However, a few minor errors in either formatting or citation are present.

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of appropriate formatting and citation throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all formatting requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of appropriate formatting and citation. There are frequent errors in either format or citation.

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