III. QUALITY OF WRITING 4 Writing is scholarly and exceeds graduate-level writing expectations. The paper: • Uses language that is clear, concise, and appropriate; • Has few if any errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; • Is extremely well organized, logical, clear, and never confuses the reader; • Uses a preponderance of original language and uses direct quotes only when necessary and/or appropriate; • Provides information about a source when citing or paraphrasing it. I. RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND PROFESSIONAL STYLE 4 The paper represents exceptional research, scholarship, and professional style. Paper content: • Significantly contributes to the knowledge in the field; • Is well supported by current and pertinent research/evidence (within the previous five years, except for seminal, original research where appropriate) from a variety of primarily primary, peer-reviewed sources (rather than textbooks and Web sites); and • Consistently uses correct APA form and style (including citations, references, use of nonbiased language, clear organization, good editorial style, etc.) with very few or no errors.

II. CONTENT KNOWLEDGE (Does the content in the paper or writing assignment demonstrate an understanding of the important knowledge the paper/assignment is intended to demonstrate?) 4 Paper or writing assignment demonstrates/provides: • In-depth understanding and application of concepts and issues presented in the course (e.g., insightful interpretations or analyses; accurate and perceptive parallels, ideas, opinions, and conclusions) showing that the student has absorbed the general principles and ideas presented and makes inferences about the concepts/issues or connects to them to other ideas; • Rich and relevant examples; • Thought-provoking ideas and interpretations, original thinking, new perspectives; • Original and critical thinking; and • Mastery and thoughtful/accurate application of knowledge and skills or strategies presented in the course.

I. RESPONSIVENESS TO A PAPER OR WRITING ASSIGNMENT (AS ASSIGNED OR AS SELECTED BY THE STUDENT IF INSTRUCTIONS ALLOW) (Did the student respond adequately to the paper or writing assignment?) 4 Paper or writing assignment is responsive to and exceeds the requirements given in the instructions. It: • Responds to assigned or selected topic; • Goes beyond what is required in some meaningful way (e.g., ideas contribute a new dimension to what we know about the topic, unearths something unanticipated, etc.); • Is substantive and evidence based; • Demonstrates that the student has read, viewed, and considered the learning resources in the course and that the paper topic connects in a meaningful way to the course content; • Is submitted by the due date.

This rubric will be used to evaluate submitted written work in this course (Application Assignments). There are four primary quality indicators. All written assignments will be scored on the first three indicators (Responsiveness, Content, and Quality). The final indicator (Research, Scholarship, and Professional Style) applies to the Final Project only. Scoring Instructions • All Application Assignments, except for the Final Project, may earn a maximum of 12 points. They will be scored on the first three quality indicators (Responsiveness, Content, and Quality); the total possible score will be 12 points (4 points for each indicator). • The Final Project may earn a maximum of 20 points. It will be scored on all three quality indicators. The score on the final indicator (Research, Scholarship, and Professional Style) will be weighted more heavily, and worth double. That is, the maximum score for a Final Project would be 12 points for the first three indicators plus 8 points for the final indicator to yield the maximum score of 20 points.

Although the Final Project is not to be submitted until Day 7 of Week 11, you should become familiar with the project requirements and have them in mind as you proceed through the course. Many of the Discussions and Application Assignments relate to and can be of use to you in writing your Final Project. The Final Project will be evaluated according to all four indicators in the Application Assignment and Final Project Writing Rubric, located in Course Info. Information on scholarly writing may be found in the APA Publication Manual (6th ed.) and at the WaldenU Writing Center website. The Final Project is due on Day 7 of Week 10. See the Week 10 Final Project area for submission details.