Distinguished - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that clearly establishes its scope and significance and provides any necessary context. The introduction remains appropriately neutral between different positions on the issue. Effectively summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory and what the objection will be.

Proficient - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that mostly establishes its scope and significance and provides most of the necessary context. The introduction remains appropriately neutral between different positions on the issue. Summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory and what the objection will be. The introduction is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.

Basic - Introduces the topic under consideration in a way that vaguely establishes its scope and significance and provides some of the necessary context. The introduction may be slightly biased toward one position. Vaguely summarizes the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by the theory and what the objection will be. The introduction is unclear and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduce the topic under consideration; however, the introduction does not establish its scope, why it is significant, or provide the necessary context. The introduction may be significantly biased toward one position and may lack a summary of the conclusion or position on this issue that is best supported by this theory or what the objection will be. The introduction is significantly unclear and underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue. 

Proficient - Explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue. The explanation is slightly unclear, inaccurate, or missing minor details.

Basic - Partially explains the core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue. The explanation is unclear, inaccurate, and/or missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain core principles or features of either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory that will be applied to the chosen issue; however, the explanation is significantly unclear, inaccurate, and missing significant details.

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

Distinguished - Effectively applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen question under consideration. Clearly and logically demonstrates how the specific practical conclusion(s) were arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory.

Proficient - Applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen question. Demonstrates how the specific practical conclusion(s) were arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory. Minor details are unclear, or the reasoning is slightly weak.

Basic - Applies either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen question. Vaguely demonstrates how the specific practical conclusion(s) were arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory. Relevant details are unclear, and/or the reasoning is somewhat weak.

Below Expectations - Attempts to apply either the deontological or utilitarian ethical theory to the chosen question; however, does not demonstrate how the specific moral conclusion was arrived at on the basis of the main principles of the theory. Significant details are unclear, and/or the reasoning is significantly weak. 

Non-Performance - The application of the theory to the chosen question is either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Raises a relevant objection and effectively explains how that objection exposes a weakness in the utilitarian or deontological argument. The objection is plausible and grounded in philosophical reasoning and factual evidence.

Proficient - Raises a relevant objection and explains how that objection exposes a weakness in the utilitarian or deontological argument. The objection is slightly unclear or slightly implausible. The explanation of how that objection exposes a weakness in the chosen theory’s argument is slightly underdeveloped. 

Basic - Raises a somewhat relevant objection and minimally explains how that objection exposes a weakness in the utilitarian or deontological argument. The objection is somewhat implausible or unclear, and/or the explanation of how that objection exposes a weakness in the chosen theory’s argument is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to raise a relevant objection, but the objection is highly implausible, lacks adequate explanation, and/or is irrelevant.

Non-Performance - The raising of a relevant objection is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear conclusion that concisely summarizes the paper.

Proficient - Provides a slightly unclear or insubstantial conclusion that summarizes the paper.

Basic - Provides a largely unclear or insubstantial conclusion that summarizes the paper.

Below Expectations - Provides a conclusion that is highly unclear, insubstantial, or disconnected from the main discussion of the paper.

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

Distinguished - Cites two or more resources that meet the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions.  

Proficient - Cites two or more resources. At least one resource meets one of the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions.  The other resource does not meet the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions.  

Basic - Cites at least two resources, but neither of the resources meets the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions.  Alternatively, cites a resource that meets one of the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions, but does not include a second resource.  

Below Expectations - Cites one resource; however, the resource does not meet the criteria outlined in the assignment instructions.  The second required resource is missing.  

Non-Performance - The use of resources is either nonexistent or lacks the basic 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.