Distinguished - Formulates an ethical question within one of the given topic areas that is focused, concise, and clear. The question is placed at the top of the paper and appropriately labeled.

Proficient - Formulates an ethical question within one of the given topic areas that is slightly vague, broad, or unclear. The question is placed at the top of the paper and appropriately labeled.

Basic - Formulates an ethical question within one of the given topic areas that is vague, broad, and/or unclear. The question may not be placed at the top of the paper or appropriately labeled.

Below Expectations - Formulates a question within one of the given topic areas that is not ethically significant or not on one of the approved topics. The question is significantly vague, broad, or unclear. The question may not be placed at the top of the paper or appropriately labeled.

Non-Performance - The formulation of a question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an introduction to the topic and question under consideration that clearly establishes its scope and significance and provides all necessary context. The introduction remains appropriately neutral between different positions on the issue.

Proficient - Provides an introduction to the topic and under consideration that establishes its scope and significance and provides most of the necessary context. The introduction remains appropriately neutral between different positions on the issue.

Basic - Provides an introduction to the topic and question under consideration that vaguely establishes its scope and significance and provides little of the necessary context. The introduction may be slightly biased toward one position.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the topic and question under consideration but does not clearly establish its scope or significance and does not provide the necessary context. The introduction may be significantly biased toward one position.

Non-Performance - The introduction is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a position statement that clearly and concretely affirms a position on the question at issue. The position statement is appropriately labeled. 

Proficient - Provides a position statement that somewhat clearly and concretely affirms a position on the question at issue. The position statement is appropriately labeled.

Basic - Provides a position statement that vaguely indicates a position on the question at issue. The position statement may not be appropriately labeled.

Below Expectations - Provides a position statement that does not clearly or concretely affirm a position on the question at issue. The position statement may not be appropriately labeled.

Non-Performance - The position statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and clearly explains a plausible reason in support of the position taken on the question. The explanation is appropriate in length and clearly labeled.  

Proficient - Identifies and explains a reason in support of the position taken on the question. The reason is somewhat plausible, or the explanation is slightly unclear, shorter or longer than appropriate, and/or not clearly labeled.   

Basic - Identifies and explains a reason in support of the position taken on the question.  The reason is somewhat plausible, or the explanation only somewhat clear.  The explanation may be slightly unclear, shorter or longer than appropriate, and may not be clearly labeled.  

Below Expectations - Identifies and explains a reason in support of the position taken on the question. The reason is slightly plausible, and/or the explanation is significantly unclear, substantially shorter or longer than appropriate, and not clearly labeled.  

Non-Performance - The identification and explanation of a reason supporting the position is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and clearly explains a plausible reason opposing the position taken on the question. The explanation is appropriate in length and clearly labeled.   

Proficient - Identifies and explains a reason opposing the position taken on the question. The reason is mostly plausible, and the explanation is mostly clear, appropriate in length, and clearly labeled. 

Basic - Identifies and explains a reason opposing the position taken on the question.  The reason is only somewhat plausible, or the explanation is only somewhat clear, slightly shorter or longer than appropriate, and/or not clearly labeled. 

Below Expectations - Identifies and explains a reason opposing the position taken on the question.  The reason is only slightly plausible, and/or the explanation is significantly unclear, substantially shorter or longer than appropriate, and not clearly labeled.

Non-Performance - The identification and explanation of a reason opposing the position is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.