Distinguished - Identifies the ethical question that is either drawn from or clearly aligns with the provided questions in terms of specificity, focus, and clarity.  

Proficient - Identifies an ethical question; however, it is slightly vague, broad, or unclear. 

Basic - Identifies an ethical question; however, it is significantly vague, broad, or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Identifies a question; however, it is not a specifically ethical question.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly introduces the topic and question, referencing an idea, quote, or analysis of the issue from one of the required resources on the topic.

Proficient - Introduces the topic and question, referencing an idea, quote, or analysis of the issue from one of the required resources on the topic. The introduction is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially introduces the topic and question, referencing an idea, quote, or analysis of the issue from one of the required resources on the topic. The introduction is underdeveloped.  

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduces the topic and question; however, does not reference an idea, quote, or analysis of the issue from one of the required resources on the topic, and/or the introduction is significantly underdeveloped.  

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

Distinguished - Formulates a position statement that clearly and directly answers the ethical question.

Proficient - Formulates a position statement that answers the ethical question in a way that is slightly unclear or indirect.  

Basic - Formulates a position statement that answers the ethical question in a way that is significantly unclear or indirect.

Below Expectations - Attempts to formulate a position statement; however, the position statement does not answer the ethical question.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately explains a strong reason in support of the position statement.

Proficient - Explains a strong reason in support of the position statement. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally explains a strong reason in support of the position statement. The explanation is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain a strong reason in support of the position statement; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The explanation of a strong reason in support of the position statement is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Formulates a statement expressing a position clearly and directly opposed to the first position statement.

Proficient - Formulates an opposing position statement. It is slightly unclear or indirectly opposed to the first position statement.

Basic - Formulates an opposing position statement; however, it is unclear or not opposed to the first position statement.

Below Expectations - Attempts to formulate an opposing position statement; however, it is significantly unclear or unrelated to the first position statement.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately explains a strong reason in support of the opposing position statement.

Proficient - Explains a strong reason in support of the opposing position statement. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped or inaccurate.

Basic - Explains a reason in support of the opposing position statement. The reason is slightly weak and/or the explanation is underdeveloped and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain a strong reason in support of the opposing position statement; however, the reason is significantly weak and/or the explanation is significantly underdeveloped and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The explanation of a strong reason in support of the opposing position statement 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.

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.