Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the purpose and typical components of each of the following sections of a research article: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references.

Proficient -Explains the purpose and typical components of each of the following sections of a research article: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Some relevant details may be missing.

Basic - Briefly explains the purpose and typical components of each of the following sections of a research article: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Many relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the purpose and typical components of each of the following sections of a research article: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references, but the explanation is insufficient.

Non Performance -The explanation of the purpose and typical components of each of the following sections of a research article: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly illustrates each of the sections by providing exceptional and relevant examples from the assigned article.

Proficient - Illustrates each of the sections by providing mostly relevant examples from the assigned article.

Basic - Illustrates some of the sections using the assigned article, but the examples are somewhat unclear and/or irrelevant.

Below Expectations - Attempts to illustrate the sections using the assigned article, but the examples are unclear and/or irrelevant.

Non Performance -The illustration of each of the sections using the assigned article is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Analyzes texts for scholarly significance and pertinence within and across various disciplines, assessing them according to their contributions and consequences.

Proficient - Utilizes texts in the context of scholarship to expand a foundation of disciplinary knowledge and to raise and discover significant inquiries.

Basic - Employs texts with the intent and expectation of increasing knowledge.

Below Expectations - Approaches texts only within the context of assignment.

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.