Distinguished - Begins with a focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question. Introduces the topic in a way that clearly establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides any necessary context. Provides a precise, clear, and well-constructed statement of the position and the primary reasons supporting it and a brief preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.

Proficient - Begins with a mostly focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question that may be slightly broad, vague, or unclear. Introduces the topic in a way that mostly establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides most of the necessary context. Provides a mostly precise, clear, and well-constructed statement of the position and the primary reasons supporting it and a brief preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.

Basic - Begins with a somewhat focused, concrete, and relevant ethical question that may be broad, vague or unclear. Introduces the topic in a way that vaguely establishes its scope, why it is significant, and provides some of the necessary context. Provides a statement of the position, but may lack a statement of the primary reasons supporting it. May provide only a vague preview of the aim and procedure of the paper.

Below Expectations - Introduction does not begin with a question and vaguely introduces the topic. Provides a vague statement of the position but does not include the reasons supporting it. Does not provide a preview of the aim and procedure of the paper, or provides one that is very vague or unclear. 

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

Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. Meaningfully refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and accurately explains the main features of each theory.  

Proficient - Explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. The explanation and/or demonstration may be slightly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and explains the main features of each theory with some minor inaccuracies or ambiguity.  

Basic - Explains and demonstrates the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and shows how that reasoning supports the position. The explanation and/or demonstration may be highly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to at least two of the major approaches examined in the course, and partially explains the main features of at least one theory with some significant inaccuracies or ambiguity. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain and demonstrate the approach to moral reasoning deemed the strongest for this question and show how that reasoning supports the position; however, the explanation and/or demonstration may be significantly vague or underdeveloped. Refers to one or none of the major approaches examined in the course, but does not accurately explain the main features of any theory.   

Non-Performance - The demonstration of the approach to moral reasoning is either nonexistent or lack the basic components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Raises a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a thorough, detailed response. The objection and response are strong and clear.

Proficient - Raises a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a response. The objection and/or response may be slightly weak or unclear.

Basic - Raises a somewhat plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section, and provides a vague response. The objection and/or response may be weak or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to raise a plausible objection to the argument offered in the previous section; however, the objection and/or response are significantly weak or unclear, or the response is missing.

Non-Performance - The objection and response are either nonexistent or lacks the basic components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a well-developed and clear conclusion that concisely summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis.

Proficient - Provides a conclusion that summarizes the paper and presents a rephrased statement of the thesis, but one of these is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a conclusion that partially summarizes the paper and presents a limited rephrased statement of the thesis. One of these is unclear and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a conclusion; however, does not provide a summary of the paper and does not present a rephrased statement of the thesis. Both are significantly unclear and underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Cites at least two of the readings from the list of acceptable resources, one for each of the two theories, and two more resources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly resources found in the Ashford University Library. The sources are pertinent and effectively used.

Proficient - Cites at least one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories, and three more resources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly sources found in the Ashford University Library.  One or two of the resources may be only somewhat pertinent and effectively used. 

Basic - Cites at least one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories, and one or two sources either from the required or recommended material or scholarly sources found in the Ashford University Library.  Or cites at least four scholarly sources, but does not include one of the readings from the list of acceptable resources pertaining to the theories.  

Below Expectations - Includes sources, but fulfills only one or none of the resource requirements. Resources are not scholarly or representative of those required by the instructions and/or the resources are not used to properly support the positions in the paper.

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

Distinguished - The paper displays coherent organization.

Proficient - The paper is mostly well organized but has some minor problem areas, such as unnecessary tangents, lack of transitions between a few paragraphs, or a slightly incoherent structure.

Basic - The paper is somewhat well organized but has one or two significant problem areas, such as unnecessary tangents of substantial length, disjointed paragraphs, or a very incoherent structure.

Below Expectations - The paper is largely disorganized, and has many problem areas such as unnecessary tangents of substantial length, disjointed paragraphs, and a very incoherent structure.

Non-Performance - The paper does not show any signs of having been thoughtfully crafted, and lacks the basic elements of a coherent essay.

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.