Distinguished - Thoroughly introduces the selected topic. Comprehensively defines all concepts that will be discussed in the paper.

Proficient - Introduces the selected topic. Defines all concepts that will be used in the paper. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Vaguely introduces the selected topic. Partially defines some of the concepts that will be used in the paper. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the selected topic and define the concepts that will be used in the paper; however, many concepts are not defined and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction and definition of the concepts that will be discussed in the paper are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Selects a suitable and adequately reviewed case mentioned in news articles and/or magazines where memory errors have occurred.

Proficient - Selects a suitable case mentioned in news articles and/or magazines where memory errors have occurred. In the selected article(s), the narrative of the case is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Selects a somewhat suitable case mentioned in news articles and/or magazines where memory errors have occurred. In the selected article(s), the narrative of the case is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to select a case mentioned in news articles and/or magazines where memory errors have occurred; however, in the selected article(s), the narrative of the case is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The case mentioned in news articles and/or magazines where memory errors have occurred is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the main features of the errors, consequences, and possible source(s).

Proficient - Describes the main features of the errors, consequence, and possible source(s). The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially describes the main features of the errors, consequence, and possible source(s). The description is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the main features of the errors, consequence, and possible source(s); however, the description is slightly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the main features of the errors, consequences and possible source(s) is either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains what cognitive psychology suggests people do to decrease the occurrence of memory errors. Comprehensively addresses what cognitive psychology suggests people do to prevent  the damaging consequences of such errors.

Proficient - Explains what cognitive psychology suggests people do to decrease the occurrence of memory errors. Addresses what cognitive psychology suggests people do to prevent the damaging consequences of such errors. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially explains what cognitive psychology suggests people do to decrease the occurrence of memory errors. Minimally addresses what cognitive psychology suggests people do to prevent the damaging consequences of such errors. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain what cognitive psychology suggests people do to decrease the occurrence of memory errors. Also attempts to address what cognitive psychology suggests people do to prevent the damaging consequences of such errors. The explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the strategies that can decrease the occurrence of the memory errors that are discussed in the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions. If the errors cannot be avoided, no suggestions are made on how to prevent their often damaging consequences.

Distinguished -Thoroughly utilizes scientific evidence to support statements regarding the inaccuracy of human memory and strategies to decrease the occurrence of errors and/or minimize their consequences. Scientific evidence is fully integrated with the narrative.

Proficient - Utilizes scientific evidence to support statements regarding the inaccuracy of human memory and strategies to decrease the occurrence of errors and/or minimize their consequences. Scientific evidence is integrated with the narrative.

Basic - Partially utilizes scientific evidence to support statements regarding the inaccuracy of human memory and strategies to decrease the occurrence of errors and/or minimize their consequences. Scientific evidence is minimally integrated with the narrative.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize scientific evidence to support statements regarding the inaccuracy of human memory and strategies to decrease the occurrence of errors and/or minimize their consequences; however, Scientific evidence is not integrated with the narrative.

Non-Performance -The use of scientific evidence is 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 limited 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 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.