Distinguished - Includes a tentative thesis statement that fully articulates an original argument and gives a clear direction and purpose to the paper.

Proficient - Includes a tentative thesis statement that articulates an original argument and that gives direction and purpose to the paper.

Basic - Includes a tentative thesis statement that somewhat articulates an original argument but gives minimal direction and purpose to the paper.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a tentative thesis statement that articulates an original argument; however, the thesis does not give clear direction and purpose to the paper.

Non-Performance - The inclusion of a tentative thesis statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly outlines at least five topic sentences that fully support the thesis and includes at least two fully relevant subtopics that elaborate on each topic sentence.

Proficient - Outlines at least five topic sentences that support the thesis and includes at least two relevant subtopics that elaborate on each topic sentence.

Basic - Outlines at least three topic sentences that support the thesis and includes at least two somewhat relevant subtopics that minimally elaborate on each topic sentence.

Below Expectations - Attempts to outline topic sentences that support the thesis; however does not include relevant subtopics that elaborate on each topic sentence and fewer than three are topic sentences are outlined.

Non-Performance - The outlining of at least five topic sentences that support the thesis and the inclusion of at least two subtopics that elaborate on each topic sentence are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a thorough annotation for each of the five sources used.

Proficient - Includes an annotation for each of the five sources used. The annotations are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Includes a limited annotation for each of the three sources used. The annotations are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an annotation for each of the sources used; however, fewer than three sources are used and the annotations are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The annotations for each of the five sources used are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author's explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message. Draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary but makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates an understanding of the multiple ways of reading and the range of interpretive strategies particular to a discipline or in a given community of readers.

Proficient - Demonstrates an ability to read purposefully, choosing among interpretive strategies depending on the purpose of the reading.

Basic - Identifies a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

Below Expectations - Fails to identify a purpose for reading when provided with clarification of the task.

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.