| Criteria | Exemplary | Proficient | Competent | Substantial Areas for Improvement | Unsatisfactory | Definition of Errors/Notes |
| Content of Introduction | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 0 points | |
| Introduction Introduces topic Describes main concepts to be covered Provides overview of paper May provide interest or background for topic | Provides a solid paragraph, at least 5 sentences in length that introduces the topic and describes the main concepts the paper will cover.
| Provides a 4 sentence paragraph that introduces the topic and describes the main concepts the paper will cover. | Provides a 3 sentence paragraph that introduces the topic and describes the main concepts the paper will cover. | Provides a 2 sentence paragraph that either introduces the topic or describes what the paper will cover. | No introduction. | |
| Content of Paper | | | | | | |
| Content of Paper Thoughtful Meaningful Informative Accurate Relevant to the assigned topic Demonstrates student learning | Answers question providing a solid paragraph, at least 5 sentences in length for each. Answers are coherent, relevant to the topic, and include appropriate examples and citations. | Answers question providing a paragraph, at least 4 sentences in length for each. Answers are coherent, relevant to the topic, and include appropriate examples and citations. | Answers question providing a paragraph, at least 3 sentences in length for each. Answers are coherent, relevant to the topic, and include appropriate examples and citations. | Answer is not coherent, is irrelevant, or missing examples or citations. | | |
| Q. 1. How is your practice different? | 11 points | 9 points | 8 points | 6 points | 0 points | |
| Q. 2. Is your thinking different? | 11 points | 9 points | 8 points | 6 points | 0 points | |
| Q. 3. Do you feel different about nursing? | 11 points | 9 points | 8 points | 6 points | 0 points | |
| Q. 4. What is the most surprising thing you have learned? | 11 points | 9 points | 8 points | 6 points | 0 points | |
| Q. 5. What is the biggest thing that you have learned about yourself in the process of completing the program? | 11 points | 9 points | 8 points | 6 points | 0 points | |
| Conclusion | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 0 points | |
| Conclusion Summary of what paper covered Next steps | Provides a solid paragraph, with at least a sentence for each major concept (question) to summarize what the paper covered. Does not introduce new content. | Provides a solid paragraph to summarize what the paper covered. Missed one concept. Does not introduce new content. | Provides a solid paragraph to summarize what the paper covered. Missed two concepts. Does not introduce new content. | Provides a solid paragraph to summarize what the paper covered. Missed three concepts. Does not introduce new content. | 0 points | |
| References | 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 0 points | |
| References | Provides three or more current references, only one of which is a current text. | Provides three or more current references, two of which are required texts. | Provides two current references, one of which is a current text. | Provides two current texts as references or references are not current. | No references or a single current text as reference | |
| Scholarly Presentation | 15 points | 13 points | 11 points | 8 points | 0 points | |
| Thoughts are well organized in paragraphs. No errors. | Thoughts are well organized in paragraphs with no more than three total errors. | Thoughts are well organized in paragraphs with no more than six total errors. | Thoughts are organized in paragraphs with no more than nine total errors. | Ten or more total errors | |
| APA | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 0 | |
| APA Format | No APA formatting errors | One APA formatting error | Two APA formatting errors | Three APA formatting errors | Four or more APA formatting errors | |