Distinguished - Expertly defends an answer to the question of human alienation from nature, clearly and convincingly analyzing the root cause of human alienation from nature or clearly defending a convincing hypothesis about why some people falsely think human beings are alienated from nature. Skillfully utilizes sources to support an original argument.

Proficient - Defends an answer to the question of human alienation from nature,  clearly and somewhat convincingly analyzing the root cause of human alienation from nature or clearly defending a somewhat convincing hypothesis about why some people falsely think human beings are alienated from nature. Utilizes sources to support an original argument.

Basic - Attempts to defend an answer to the question of human alienation from nature,  analyzing the root cause of human alienation from nature or defending a hypothesis about why some people falsely think human beings are alienated from nature;  however, the analysis/defense may not be convincing. Refers to sources, but the sources do not appropriately support the original argument.

Below Expectations - Attempts to answer the question of human alienation from nature, but may not defend it. Mentions the root cause of human alienation from nature or mentions a hypothesis about why some people falsely think human beings are alienated from nature, but may not present an analysis/defense or the analysis/defense may be unclear or incoherent. May not refer to any sources.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or  fails to answer the question of whether human beings are fundamentally alienated from nature.

Distinguished - Expertly proposes a course of action in response to the question of human alienation from nature. Clearly and convincingly defends a solution for overcoming human alienation from nature or clearly and convincingly determines a way to influence people that humans are not alienated from nature. Skillfully utilizes sources to support an original argument.

Proficient - Proposes a course of action in response to the question of human alienation from nature.  Clearly and somewhat convincingly defends a solution for overcoming human alienation from nature or clearly and somewhat convincingly determines a way to influence people that humans are not alienated from nature. Utilizes sources to support an original argument.

Basic - Attempts to propose a course of action in response to the question of human alienation from nature; however, the proposal may not be convincing. Either defends a solution for overcoming human alienation from nature or determines a way to influence people that humans are not alienated from nature. Refers to sources, but the sources do not appropriately support the original argument.

Below Expectations - Mentions a course of action in response to the question of human alienation from nature, but proposal may be unclear or incoherent. Either mentions a solution for overcoming human alienation from nature or mentions a way to convince people that humans are not alienated from nature, but this may not support the proposal at all. May not refer to any sources.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or  fails to propose a course of action in response to the question of human alienation from nature.

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 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.