Research Citations (In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment and style) 5.0 % No reference page is included. No citations are used. Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used. Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present. Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and citation style is usually correct. In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.

Paper Format (Use of 5.0 % appropriate style for the major and assignment) Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent. Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct. Research Citations (In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and 5.0 % No reference page is included. No citations are used. Reference page is Reference page is present. Citations included and lists are inconsistently sources used in the used. paper. Sources are appropriately documented, Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and . . . In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free

Mechanics of Writing 5.0 % (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) and/or Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

10.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear. Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive. The essence of the paper is contained within the thesis. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

85.0 % Content An introduction and conclusion are not present. An introduction and conclusion are present, but connections are not made to course objectives. is incomplete or omits some requirements stated in the assignment criteria. An introduction and conclusion are present; cursory connections are made to course objectives. Environmental scan is adequately presented. An introduction and conclusion are present. Relevant connections are made to course objectives in a thoughtful manner. Environmental scan is thoroughly presented An introduction and conclusion are present. Relevant connections are made to course objectives in a thoughtful and insightful manner. Critical and creative thinking is indicated.