demonstrates a high degree of critical thinking, is consistent in accurately interpreting questions & material; provides solid assumptions, reasoning & claims; provides thorough analysis & evaluation with sound conclusions

shows good critical thinking; accurately interprets most questions & material; usually identifies relevant arguments/reasoning/claims; offers good analysis & evaluation with fairly sound conclusions

shows occasional critical thinking; questions & material is at times accurately interpreted; arguments/reasoning/claims are occasionally explained; offers fair analysis & evaluation with a conclusion

shows little critical thinking, misinterprets questions or material; ignores or superficially evaluates; justifies little and seldom explains reasoning; draws unwarranted conclusions

lacks critical thinking consistently offers biased interpretations; ignores or superficially evaluates; argues using poor reasoning, and/or unwarranted claims

arguments or positions are well-supported with evidence from the readings/experience; ideas go beyond the course material and recognize implications and extensions of the material and concepts

arguments or positions are mostly supported by evidence from the readings and course content; ideas presented demonstrate student’s understanding of the material and concepts

arguments are more often based on opinion or unclear views than on position grounded in the readings of material or external sources of material

arguments are frequently illogical and unsubstantiated; student may resort to ad hominem attacks on the author instead of making meaningful application of the material

There is no meaningful attempt to explain or support ideas

demonstrated full understanding of requirements; responded to each aspect of assignment

demonstrated understanding of requirements; missed one minor aspect of assignment

demonstrated some understanding of requirements; missed a key element or two minor aspects of assignment

failed to show a firm understanding of requirements; missed two key elements or several minor aspects of assignment

did not demonstrate understanding of assignment requirements

writing is clear and easy to follow; grammar and spelling are all correct; formatting gives a professional look and adds to readability, no APA style errors

most ideas are presented clearly; occasional spelling and/or grammar issues, attempts in-text citation and reference list but 1 or 2 APA style errors are present

wordy; some points require rereading to understand fully; more than an occasional spelling and/or grammar, attempts in-text citation and reference list; APA style errors are present; inconsistencies in citation usage can be found throughout the document

unclear and difficult to understand; frequent spelling and grammar issues, attempts either in-text citation or reference list but omits the other

Very difficult to understand, poorly written in terms of mechanics and structure