Applied Sciences IMPACT OF DRUGS ASSIGNMENT

5/23/26, 4:16 PM

Page 1 of 2about:srcdoc

Impact of Drugs on the Brain Paper (Obj. 1.3, 2.1, and 2.3) - Rubric Total 130 points

Criterion 1. Unsatisfactory 2. Insufficient 3. Approaching 4. Acceptable 5. Target

Drug Description

Description of the selected

drug including the

classification of the drug

(Stimulant, Depressant,

Opioid, or Hallucinogen)

and specific characteristics

of this classification.

0 points

The paper omits or

incompletely describes the

selected drug including the

classification of the drug

and specific characteristics

of this classification. The

paper does not

demonstrate

understanding of the topic.

16.9 points

The paper inadequately

describes the selected drug

including the classification

of the drug and specific

characteristics of this

classification. The paper

demonstrates a poor

understanding of the topic.

19.5 points

The paper adequately

describes the selected drug

including the classification

of the drug and specific

characteristics of this

classification. The paper

demonstrates a basic

understanding of the topic.

22.1 points

The paper clearly describes

the selected drug including

the classification of the

drug and specific

characteristics of this

classification. The paper

demonstrates an

understanding that

extends beyond the

surface of the topic.

26 points

The paper expertly

describes the selected drug

including the classification

of the drug and specific

characteristics of this

classification. The paper

demonstrates an

exceptional understanding

of the topic.

Effects on the Brain

Explanation of the effects

of the selected drug on the

brain including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted.

0 points

The paper omits or

incompletely explains the

effects of the selected drug

on the brain including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted. The paper does

not demonstrate

understanding of the topic.

16.9 points

The paper inadequately

explains the effects of the

selected drug on the brain

including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted. The paper

demonstrates a poor

understanding of the topic.

19.5 points

The paper adequately

explains the effects of the

selected drug on the brain

including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted. The paper

demonstrates a basic

understanding of the topic.

22.1 points

The paper clearly explains

the effects of the selected

drug on the brain including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted. The paper

demonstrates an

understanding that

extends beyond the

surface of the topic.

26 points

The paper expertly

explains the effects of the

selected drug on the brain

including

neurotransmitters

impacted and how are they

impacted. The paper

demonstrates an

exceptional understanding

of the topic.

Short-Term and Long-

Term Effects

Description of the short-

term and long-term effects

on sensation (the 5

senses), perception, and

consciousness.

0 points

The paper omits or

incompletely describes the

short-term and long-term

effects on sensation,

perception, and

consciousness. The paper

does not demonstrate

understanding of the topic.

16.9 points

The paper inadequately

describes the short-term

and long-term effects on

sensation, perception, and

consciousness. The paper

demonstrates a poor

understanding of the topic.

19.5 points

The paper adequately

describes the short-term

and long-term effects on

sensation, perception, and

consciousness. The paper

demonstrates a basic

understanding of the topic.

22.1 points

The paper clearly describes

the short-term and long-

term effects on sensation,

perception, and

consciousness. The paper

demonstrates an

understanding that

extends beyond the

surface of the topic.

26 points

The paper expertly

describes the short-term

and long-term effects on

sensation, perception, and

consciousness. The paper

demonstrates an

exceptional understanding

of the topic.

Physical and

Psychological

Description of the physical

(for example withdrawal,

cold sweats, tremors, etc.)

and psychological aspects

of addiction to this drug.

0 points

The paper omits or

incompletely describes the

physical and psychological

aspects of addiction to this

drug. The paper does not

demonstrate

understanding of the topic.

16.9 points

The paper inadequately

describes the physical and

psychological aspects of

addiction to this drug. The

paper demonstrates a poor

understanding of the topic.

19.5 points

The paper adequately

describes the physical and

psychological aspects of

addiction to this drug. The

paper demonstrates a

basic understanding of the

topic.

22.1 points

The paper clearly describes

the physical and

psychological aspects of

addiction to this drug. The

paper demonstrates an

understanding that

extends beyond the

surface of the topic.

26 points

The paper expertly

describes the physical and

psychological aspects of

addiction to this drug. The

paper demonstrates an

exceptional understanding

of the topic.

Thesis, Position, or

Purpose

Communicates reason for

writing and demonstrates

awareness of audience.

0 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is not discernible.

No awareness of the

appropriate audience is

evident.

4.23 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is unfocused or

confused. There is very

little awareness of the

intended audience.

4.88 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is discernable in

most aspects but is

occasionally weak or

unclear. There is limited

awareness of the

appropriate audience.

5.52 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is adequately

presented. An awareness

of the appropriate

audience is demonstrated.

6.5 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is clearly

communicated throughout

and clearly directed to a

specific audience.

Development, Structure,

and Conclusion

Advances position or

purpose throughout

writing; conclusion aligns

to and evolves from

0 points

No advancement of the

thesis, position, or purpose

is evident. Connections

between paragraphs are

missing or inappropriate.

4.23 points

Writing lacks logical

progression of the thesis,

position, or purpose. Some

organization is attempted,

but ideas are disconnected.

4.88 points

Limited advancement of

thesis, position, or purpose

is discernable. There are

inconsistencies in

organization or the

5.52 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is advanced in

most aspects. Ideas clearly

build on each other.

Conclusion aligns to the

6.5 points

The thesis, position, or

purpose is logically

advanced throughout. The

progression of ideas is

coherent and unified. A

5/23/26, 4:16 PM

Page 2 of 2about:srcdoc

development. No conclusion is offered. Conclusion is unclear and

not supported by the

overall development of the

purpose.

relationship of ideas.

Conclusion is simplistic and

not fully aligned to the

development of the

purpose.

development of the

purpose.

clear and logical conclusion

aligns to the development

of the purpose.

Evidence

Selects and integrates

evidence to support and

advance position/purpose;

considers other

perspectives.

0 points

Evidence to support the

thesis, position, or purpose

is absent. The writing relies

entirely on the perspective

of the writer.

3.38 points

Evidence is limited or

irrelevant. The

interpretation of other

perspectives is superficial

or incorrect.

3.9 points

Evidence is used but is

insufficient or of limited

relevance. Simplistic

explanation or integration

of other perspectives is

present.

4.42 points

Relevant evidence that

includes other perspectives

is used.

5.2 points

Specific and appropriate

evidence is included.

Relevant perspectives of

others are clearly

considered.

Mechanics of Writing

Includes spelling,

capitalization, punctuation,

grammar, language use,

sentence structure, etc.

0 points

Errors in grammar or

syntax are pervasive and

impede meaning. Incorrect

language choice or

sentence structure errors

are found throughout.

3.38 points

Frequent and repetitive

mechanical errors are

present. Inconsistencies in

language choice or

sentence structure are

recurrent.

3.9 points

Occasional mechanical

errors are present.

Language choice is

generally appropriate.

Varied sentence structure

is attempted.

4.42 points

Few mechanical errors are

present. Suitable language

choice and sentence

structure are used.

5.2 points

No mechanical errors are

present. Appropriate

language choice and

sentence structure are

used throughout.

Format/Documentation

Uses appropriate style,

such as APA, MLA, etc., for

college, subject, and level;

documents sources using

citations, footnotes,

references, bibliography,

etc., appropriate to

assignment and discipline.

0 points

Appropriate format is not

used. No documentation of

sources is provided.

1.69 points

Appropriate format is

attempted, but some

elements are missing.

Frequent errors in

documentation of sources

are evident.

1.95 points

Appropriate format and

documentation are used,

although there are some

obvious errors.

2.21 points

Appropriate format and

documentation are used

with only minor errors.

2.6 points

No errors in formatting or

documentation are

present.

© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.