Distinguished - Thoroughly introduces the topic and question, fully implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 3 assignment.

Proficient - Introduces the topic and question, implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 3 assignment. The introduction is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially introduces the topic and question, somewhat implementing any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 3 assignment. The introduction is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to introduces the topic and question; however, does not implement any applicable instructor feedback from the Week 3 assignment, 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 - Provides a comprehensive thesis statement.

Proficient - Provides a thesis statement. The thesis statement is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited thesis statement. The thesis statement is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a thesis statement; however, the thesis statement is significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Presents a strong argument in support of the position.

Proficient - Presents an argument in support of the position. The argument is slightly weak and/or underdeveloped.

Basic - Presents an argument in support of the position. The argument is weak and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present an argument in support of the position; however, the argument is significantly weak and/or underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Defends the argument by thoroughly explaining and accurately applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument.

Proficient - Defends the argument by explaining and applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Partially defends the argument by minimally explaining and somewhat applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to defend the argument by explaining and applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument; however, significant details are missing and entirely inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The defense of the argument by explaining and applying the ethical theory that most closely aligns with the argument is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Presents a strong objection to the argument by accurately appealing to a different ethical theory.

Proficient - Presents an objection to the argument by appealing to a different ethical theory. The objection to the argument and/or explanation of the theory is slightly weak, underdeveloped, or inaccurate.

Basic - Presents a limited objection to the argument by appealing to a different ethical theory. The objection to the argument and/or explanation of the theory is weak, underdeveloped, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present an objection to the argument by appealing to a different ethical theory; however, the objection to the argument and/or explanation of the theory is significantly weak, underdeveloped, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The objection to the argument by appealing to a different ethical theory is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and directly responds to the objection.

Proficient - Responds to the objection. The response is slightly underdeveloped or indirect.

Basic - Minimally responds to the objection. The response is underdeveloped and/or indirect.

Below Expectations - Attempts to respond to the objection; however, the response is significantly underdeveloped and indirect.

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

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive conclusion that thoroughly describes what was accomplished in each section of the paper.

Proficient - Provides a conclusion that describes what was accomplished in each section of the paper. The conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited conclusion that minimally describes what was accomplished in each section of the paper. The conclusion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a conclusion that describes what was accomplished in each section of the paper; however, the conclusion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The conclusion that describes what was accomplished in each section of the paper 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.