Level 5

The issue/problem/topic to be considered critically is evaluated clearly and described comprehensively, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding.

Level 4

The issue/problem/topic to be considered critically is composed clearly and described comprehensively, delivering relevant information for full understanding.

Level 3

The issue/problem/topic to be considered critically is examined, described, and clarified, so that understanding is not seriously impeded by omissions.

Level 2

The issue/problem/topic to be considered critically is described but description leaves some terms undefined, ambiguities unexplored, boundaries undetermined, and/or backgrounds unknown.

Level 1

The issue/problem/topic to be considered critically is related without clarification or description.

Level 0

The issue/problem/topic is related but ill-defined and/or illogically organized so that understanding is seriously impeded.

Level 5

Information is taken from source(s) with enough interpretation/evaluation to develop a comprehensive synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are questioned thoroughly.

Level 4

Information is taken from source(s) with adequate interpretation/evaluation to develop a coherent analysis. Viewpoints of experts are questioned.

Level 3

Information is taken from source(s) with some interpretation/evaluation to develop a coherent interpretation of information. Viewpoints of experts are subject to questioning.

Level 2

Information is taken from source(s) with some interpretation/evaluation, but not enough to develop a coherent explanation. Viewpoints of experts are accepted as mostly fact, with little questioning.

Level 1

Information is taken from source(s) without any interpretation/evaluation. Viewpoints of experts taken as fact without questioning.

Level 0

Viewpoints and information from experts are not identified.

Level 5

Thoroughly (systematically and methodically) analyzes own and others' assumptions and carefully evaluates the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.

Level 4

Interprets own and others' assumptions and evaluates the relevant context when presenting a position.

Level 3

Identifies own and others' assumptions and several relevant contexts when presenting a position.

Level 2

Questions some assumptions. Identifies several relevant contexts when presenting a position. May be more aware of others' assumptions than one's own (or vice versa).

Level 1

Demonstrates an emerging awareness of present assumptions (sometimes labels assertions as assumptions). Begins to identify some contexts when presenting a position.

Level 0

Does not demonstrate awareness of assumptions and/or does not identify relevant contexts when presenting a position.

Level 5

Specific position (perspective, thesis/ hypothesis) is imaginative, taking into account the complexities of an issue. Limits of position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) are acknowledged. Others' points of view are synthesized within position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis).

Level 4

Specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) takes into account the complexities of an issue.

Level 3

Specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) differentiates the complexities of an issue. Others' points of view are acknowledged within position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis).

Level 2

Specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) acknowledges differing views of an issue.

Level 1

Specific position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) is stated, but is simplistic and obvious.

Level 0

No position (perspective, thesis/hypothesis) is stated.

Level 5

Conclusions and related outcomes (consequences and implications) are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Level 4

Conclusions and related outcomes (consequences and implications) are logical and reflect student’s ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Level 3

Conclusion is logically tied to a range of information, including opposing viewpoints; related outcomes (consequences and implications) are identified clearly.

Level 2

Conclusion is logically tied to information (because information is chosen to fit the desired conclusion); some related outcomes (consequences and implications) are identified clearly.

Level 1

Conclusion is inconsistently tied to some of the information discussed; related outcomes (consequences and implications) are oversimplified.

Level 0

Conclusion is not tied to the information discussed and/or is not relative to the outcomes.

Level 5

The presentation exhibits a superior command of written English language conventions. The presentation has no errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling.

Level 4

The presentation exhibits a strong command of written English language conventions. The presentation has no errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that impair the flow of communication.

Level 3

The presentation exhibits command of written English language conventions. The presentation has minor errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that impact the flow of communication.

Level 2

The presentation exhibits a limited command of written English language conventions. The presentation has frequent errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that impede the flow of communication.

Level 1

The presentation exhibits little command of written English language conventions. The presentation has errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that cause the reader to stop and reread parts of the writing to discern meaning.

Level 0

The presentation does not demonstrate a command of written English language conventions. The presentation has multiple errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that cause the reader difficulty discerning the meaning.

Level 5

The required APA elements are all included with correct formatting, including in-text citations and references.

Level 4

The required APA elements are all included with minor formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.

Level 3

The required APA elements are all included with multiple formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.

Level 2

The required APA elements are not all included and/or there are major formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.

Level 1

Several APA elements are missing. The errors in formatting demonstrate limited understanding of APA guidelines, in-text-citations, and references.

Level 0

There is little to no evidence of APA formatting and/or there are no in-text citations and/or references.