Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately summarizes the main points of the article in more than two paragraphs.

Proficient - Summarizes the main points of the article in two paragraphs. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the main points of the article in one or two paragraphs. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize some of the main points of the article in one paragraph, but significant points are missing and/or the summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The summary of the article’s thesis and main points is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Critically evaluates the relevance and significance of the data and sources used to support the thesis, while properly identifying whether the sources are primary or secondary.

Proficient - Evaluates the relevance and significance of the data and sources used to support the thesis, and identifies whether the sources are primary or secondary But the evaluation is missing minor details.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the relevance and significance of the data and sources used to support the thesis, and properly identifies some sources as primary or secondary and the evaluation is missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to  evaluate the relevance and significance of the data and sources used to support the thesis; however the sources are improperly identified as primary or secondary and/or the evaluation is missing significant details.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the relevance and significance of the article is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly critiques the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, bias or lack thereof, and overall soundness of the article.

Proficient - Critiques the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, bias or lack thereof, and overall soundness of the article. The critique is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally  critiques of the accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, bias or lack thereof, and overall soundness of the article.  The critique is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to critique the  accuracy, acceptability, strengths and weaknesses, bias or lack thereof, and weakly assesses overall soundness of the article; however, the critique is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how the two articles could be used to support or contradict the premise and findings of the article being critiqued.

Proficient - Explains how the two articles could be used to support or contradict the premise and findings of the article being critiqued. The explanation is slightly unclear or one of the articles is not entirely appropriate.

Basic - Partially explains how the two articles could be used to support or contradict the premise and findings of the article being critiqued. The explanation is unclear and/or one of the articles is not entirely appropriate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the two articles could be used to support or contradict the premise and findings of the article being critiqued; however, The explanation is significantly unclear and one of the articles is not appropriate.

Non-Performance - The articles used to support or contradict the premise and findings of the article are either nonexistent or lacks 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.