Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the chosen theory in detail.

Proficient - Clearly explains the chosen theory. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the chosen theory. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the chosen theory; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses the theorist responsible for coining the theory and includes the correct year it was created. 

Proficient - Discusses the theorist responsible for coining the theory and includes the correct year it was created. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally discusses the theorist responsible for coining the theory and includes the year it was created. Relevant details are missing and/or the year is incorrect.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the theorist responsible for coining the theory; however, does not include the correct year it was created and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the theorist responsible for coining the theory and the correct year it was created is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly discusses both the offender and the crime.

Proficient - Discusses both the offender and the crime. However, minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally discusses both the offender and the crime. However, relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss both the offender and the crime. However, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of both the offender and the crime is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly discusses how the theory explains the actions of the criminal selected. 

Proficient - Discusses how the theory explains the actions of the criminal selected. Minor details are unclear. 

Basic - Minimally discusses how the theory explains the actions of the criminal selected. Relevant details are unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how the theory explains the actions of the criminal selected; however, significant details are unclear. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of how the theory explains the action of the criminal selected 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.