Distinguished - Comprehensively reports the amount of capital spending for the past three years for the selected company and one direct competitor. Quantitatively determines whether the amount of spending has been consistent or if it has fluctuated.

Proficient - Reports the amount of capital spending for the past three years for the selected company and one direct competitor. Quantitatively determines whether the amount of spending has been consistent or if it has fluctuated. Minor details are missing from the report or minor inaccuracies are present.

Basic - Partially reports the amount of capital spending for the past three years for the selected company and one direct competitor. Quantitatively determines whether the amount of spending has been consistent or if it has fluctuated. Relevant details are missing from the report or several inaccuracies are present.

Below Expectations - Attempts to report the amount of capital spending for the past three years for the selected company and one direct competitor and quantitatively determine whether the amount of spending has been consistent or if it has fluctuated; however, significant details are missing from the report and/or many inaccuracies are present.

Non-Performance - The report of the capital spending for the two companies is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes the capital expenditure of each firm and the factors that impacted each firm’s debt capacity and capital structure.

Proficient - Describes the capital expenditure of each firm and the factors that impacted each firm’s debt capacity and capital structure. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly describes the capital expenditure of each firm and the factors that impacted each firm’s debt capacity and capital structure. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Minimally describes the capital expenditure of each firm and the factors that impacted each firm’s debt capacity and capital structure. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the capital expenditure of each firm and the factors that impacted each firm’s debt capacity and capital structure is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively compares the capital spending levels of the selected firm and its direct competitor, including how the spending was similar or different. Provides a relevant speculation on why the similarities and/or differences might exist. Support from scholarly sources is included. 

Proficient - Compares the capital spending levels of the selected firm and its direct competitor, including how the spending was similar or different. Provides a mostly relevant speculation on why the similarities and/or differences might exist. Support from scholarly sources is included. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially compares the capital spending levels of the selected firm and its direct competitor, including how the spending was similar or different. Provides a somewhat relevant speculation on why the similarities and/or differences might exist. Limited support from scholarly sources is included. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Minimally compares the capital spending levels of the selected firm and its direct competitor, including how the spending was similar or different. Provides an irrelevant speculation on why the similarities and/or differences might exist. Support from scholarly sources is not included and/or significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The comparison of the capital spending levels across the two firms is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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 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 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.