Distinguished - Provides a clear introduction that identifies the business case and the specific moral problem being addressed.  The introduction is impartial and articulates the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.   

Proficient - Provides an introduction that identifies the business case and the specific moral problem being addressed.  The introduction is somewhat impartial and/or mostly articulates the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.  The introduction is somewhat unclear.

Basic - Provides a limited introduction to the business case and the specific moral problem being addressed.  The introduction is somewhat biased and minimally articulates the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.  The introduction is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an introduction to the business case and the specific moral problem being addressed; however, the introduction is biased and/or does not articulate the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.  The introduction is significantly unclear.

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

Distinguished - Presents a thesis statement that clearly and concisely describes the moral position being defended.   Identifies an ethical theory, and clearly and comprehensively explains how the characteristics of the ethical theory support the thesis.

Proficient - Presents a thesis statement that describes the moral position being defended. The thesis is somewhat unclear or vague.  Identifies an ethical theory, and explains how the characteristics of the ethical theory support the thesis.  The explanation is somewhat unclear.

Basic - Presents a thesis statement that partially describes the moral position being defended.  The thesis is unclear and/or vague. Identifies an ethical theory and minimally explains how the characteristics of the ethical theory support the thesis.  The explanation is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present a thesis statement that describes the moral position being defended; however, the thesis is significantly unclear and/or vague, does not identify an ethical theory, and does not explain how the characteristics of the ethical theory support thesis.  The explanation is significantly unclear.  

Non-Performance - The thesis and ethical theory are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Presents two clear and concise premises that directly support the thesis.   Comprehensively discusses the ethical theory and the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business. Each premise is presented in its own paragraph.

Proficient - Presents two premises that directly support the thesis.   Discusses the ethical theory and the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.   Each premise is presented in its own paragraph. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Presents two premises that somewhat support the thesis.   Minimally discusses the ethical theory or the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business.  Each premise is presented in its own paragraph. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to presents two premises, however, the premises are vague and/or do not support the thesis. Attempts to discuss the ethical theory and the economic system(s) and laws that affect the operations of the business, however, the discussion is significantly underdeveloped. The premises are not presented in separate paragraphs, and/or are not significantly distinct.

Non-Performance - The two premises are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear and comprehensive analysis that demonstrates how the chosen ethical theory supports the best moral solution to the business problem.  The analysis effectively compares the moral solutions offered by two ethical theories.

Proficient - Provides an analysis that demonstrates how the chosen ethical theory supports the best moral solution to the business problem.  The analysis compares the moral solutions offered by two ethical theories.  The analysis is somewhat inaccurate.

Basic - Provides an analysis that somewhat demonstrates how the chosen ethical theory supports the best moral solution to the business problem.  The analysis minimally compares the moral solutions offered by two ethical theories.  The analysis is unclear or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis that demonstrates how the chosen ethical theory supports the best moral solution to the business problem. However, the analysis is unclear and/or does not compare the moral solutions offered by two ethical theories.

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

Distinguished - States and describes the theory and accurately explains the details of the theory used.

Proficient - States and describes the theory and explain the details of the theory, but with some inaccuracies.

Basic - States and describes the major theory used.

Below Expectations - Only states the major theory used.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

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