Thesis statement presents a clear stance and is situated within a debate.

Thesis statement may lack some clarity and/or may fall short of asserting a strong stance or of situating the stance within a debate.

Thesis statement needs significant work with clarity or with asserting a strong stance situated within a debate.

Thesis statement is not present or is off-topic.

Includes at least 6 on-topic, relevant brainstormed items, 3 minimum for supporting viewpoints and 3 minimum for opposing viewpoints.

Includes at least 6 brainstormed items, but items may lack relevance or may not address a balance of supporting and opposing material.

Includes fewer than 6 brainstormed items, or items lack connection to the topic.

Brainstormed items are not present or are off-topic.

The introduction paragraph is well-structured and flowing. It includes a relevant attention-grabber, relevant background information, and a clear argument stance within a viable debate. Transitions are employed throughout for flow and continuity.

The introduction paragraph includes a relevant attention-grabber, relevant background information, and an argument stance as the thesis. The components may lack clarity or reader appeal, or flow and continuity may need work.

The introduction paragraph is missing some of the key components or needs significant work toward clear composition of some key components.

The introduction paragraph is not present or is off-topic.

Includes a list of 4 scholarly sources, at least 2 sources that support the student’s claim, and at least 2 that oppose it.

Includes a list of 4 sources, at least 2 sources that support the student’s claim, and at 2 three that oppose it. Some sources may not be scholarly and/or relevant, or the reference entry is lacking information needed to identify the source’s origin.

May contain fewer than 4 sources, or most sources may not be scholarly in nature nor relevant to the student’s claim.

Sources are not present or are off-topic.

All sources are properly cited in the text (if applicable) and referenced where required, demonstrating a mastery of resource and APA citation reference format.

Most sources are cited in the text (if applicable) and referenced where required. Some minor errors may exist in citation, but it does not interfere with understanding the source of the information. A clear attempt at correct APA Style was made, but some persistent errors are apparent

Most sources are cited in the text (if applicable) and referenced where required. Numerous changes are needed for the documentation to meet full and correct APA guidelines and/or for source information to be complete.

Sources are not documented or are lacking in any of the important information needed to ascertain the nature of the source

The assignment document itself displays correct APA Style in headers, pagination, and title page. The writing is free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The assignment document may have small errors in headers, pagination, and title page. The writing contains minor errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

The assignment document may have major errors in headers, pagination, and title page. The writing contains numerous distracting errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

The assignment document may completely lack APA formatting (header, pagination, title page) and/or may contain enough errors that reader comprehension is difficult.