Distinguished - Develops a well-written introduction and a clear thesis statement.

Proficient - Develops an introduction and thesis statement. The introduction is slightly underdeveloped or the thesis statement is unclear. 

Basic - Develops an introduction and thesis statement. The introduction is underdeveloped and/or the thesis statement is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop an introduction and thesis statement; however, the introduction is significantly underdeveloped and/or the thesis statement is unclear.

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

Distinguished - Creates a fully developed outline of the major headings with a clear two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading.

Proficient - Creates an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading. The outline is slightly underdeveloped or the descriptions are unclear.

Basic - Creates an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading. The outline is underdeveloped and/or the descriptions are unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading; however, the outline is significantly underdeveloped and/or the descriptions are unclear.

Non-Performance - The creation of an outline of the major headings with a two- to three-sentence description of what will be discussed under each heading is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a references page with reliable and appropriate sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing. Provides more than five scholarly sources.

Proficient - Provides a references page with sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing. One or two of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate. Provides the required amount of sources.

Basic - Provides a references page with sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing. One, two, or three of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate, or fewer than five sources are provided. 

Below Expectations - Provides a references page with sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing. One, two, three, or four of the sources are unreliable or inappropriate, and/or fewer than four sources are provided.

Non-Performance - The references page 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 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.