Exemplary 18-20 points	Proficient 16-17 points	Developing 14-15 points	Beginning 12-13 points	Inadequate 0-11 points
Comprehension of Assignment (20% of grade)	Addressed the question completely and thoroughly.  Provided additional supporting evidence, demonstrating a full comprehension of subject matter.	Addressed the question(s) completely and thoroughly.	Addressed the majority of the question(s).	Addressed minimal portions of the question(s).	Did not address the question(s).
Application of Course Knowledge and Content (20% of grade)	Thorough technical application of course knowledge and content in a complete and concise manner.	Technical application of course knowledge and content is mostly accurate, concise and complete.	Technical application of course knowledge and content is partially accurate, concise and complete.	Technical application of course knowledge and content is minimally accurate, concise and complete.	Technical application of course knowledge and content is inaccurate and incomplete.
Tone (20% of grade)	Writing style used in approach for each message (good/bad news) is appropriate for the intended audience.	Writing style used in approach for each message (good / bad news) is mostly appropriate for the intended audience.	Writing style used in approach for one message (good / bad news) may not be fully appropriate for the intended audience.	Writing style used in approach for each message (good news / bad news) have issues with appropriate tone for the intended audience.	Writing style used in each message has major issues with appropriate tone for the audience.
Buffer (20% of grade)	A well-developed buffer was used in the bad news message.	A good buffer idea was obvious in the message, but may not have be well developed.	A buffer for the bad message was intended but there were some key issues with its development.	A buffer may or may not be noticeable in the bad news message or has serious development issues.	A buffer in the bad news message is not evidence or not developed.
Approach (20% of grade)	Each message includes a constructive and appropriate approach (direct or indirect)	Each message includes a constructive and appropriate approach but may have small issues.	Each message attempts to include a constructive and appropriate approach but may be lacking critical parts.	Each message has major issues with its approach to the topic.	There appears to be limited to no consideration on how to approach the topic.