Distinguished - Comprehensively defines the origins of the theoretical concept associated with the chosen topic.

Proficient - Defines the origins of the theoretical concept associated with the chosen topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally defines the origins of the theoretical concept associated with the chosen topic. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to define the origins of the theoretical concept associated with the chosen topic; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The definition of the origins of the theoretical concepts associated with the chosen topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and comprehensively describes at least two previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation of the media.

Proficient - Identifies and describes at least two previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation of the media. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Identifies and partially describes at least two previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation of the media. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts describe previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation of the media: however, fewer than two are described and significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The identification and description of at least two previous studies conducted utilizing the theoretical concept in the investigation of the media are either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the nature of the chosen political issue.

Proficient - Discusses the nature of the chosen political issue. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally discusses the nature of the chosen political issues. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the nature of the chosen political issues; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of the nature of the chosen political issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively illustrates how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept through specific examples.

Proficient - Illustrates how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept through specific examples. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally illustrates how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept through specific examples. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to illustrate how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept; however, does not use specific examples and significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The illustration of how the chosen media outlets present the political issues in relation to the applicable theoretical concept through specific examples is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the theoretical concept.

Proficient - Discusses the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the theoretical concept. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally discusses the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the theoretical concept. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the theoretical concept; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of the overall impact of the presentation of the political issues by the news media outlets in relation to the theoretical concept is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Autonomously synthesizes or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines. 

Proficient - Autonomously correlates examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Basic - Attempts to correlate examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Below Expectations - Displays inconsistent examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

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

Distinguished - The specific position presented is inventive, considering the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of the position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within the position.

Proficient - The specific position is adequate, considering some of the complexities of an issue. Limits of the position are recognized. Other viewpoints are synthesized within the position.

Basic - The specific position is adequate, considering a few complexities of an issue. Limits of the position are recognized but are not synthesized.

Below Expectations - The specific position lacks inventiveness and insufficiently considers the intricate ideas of an issue. Limits of the position are overlooked. Other viewpoints are not recognized within the position.

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 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.