Distinguished - Develops a strong thesis question which links clearly and concisely the chosen philosophical theory to the issue. 

Proficient - Develops a thesis question which links the chosen philosophical theory and issue. The thesis is slightly unclear. 

Basic - Develops a limited thesis question which somewhat links to the chosen philosophical theory and issue. The thesis is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a thesis question; however, the question does not link the chosen philosophical theory to the issue and is significantly unclear.

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

Distinguished - Develops nine sentences and photos that clearly and effectively present important points about the ethical aspects of the environmental issue, and successfully avoids personal opinion or arguments based on politics, economics, religion, or topics other than ethics. 

Proficient - Develops nine sentences and photos that present important points about the ethical aspects of the environmental issue, and avoids personal opinion or arguments based on politics, economics, religion, or topics other than ethics. The sentences are slightly underdeveloped or unclear. 

Basic - Develops three to five sentences and photos that somewhat present important points about the ethical aspects of the environmental issue, and partially avoids personal opinion or arguments based on politics, economics, religion, or topics other than ethics. The sentences are underdeveloped and/or unclear. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop nine sentences and photos; however, at least six of the sentences and photos do not present important points about the ethical aspects of the environmental issue. Includes personal opinion or arguments based on politics, economics, religion, or topics other than ethics. The sentences are significantly underdeveloped and unclear. 

Non-Performance - The nine sentences and related photos are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive notes section which clearly and accurately supports the connections between the required elements of the photos, sentences, and thesis question.

Proficient - Provides a notes section which supports of the connections between the required elements of the photos, sentences, and thesis question. Minor details are missing, inaccurate, or slightly unclear.

Basic - Provides a notes section which somewhat supports the connections between the required elements of the photos, sentences, and thesis question. Relevant details are missing, inaccurate, and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a notes section; however, the connections between the required elements of the photos, sentences, and thesis question are not supported, and significant details are missing, inaccurate, and severely unclear. 

Non-Performance - The notes section on each slide 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 - Independently applies ethical viewpoints to an ethical question correctly and considers the full ramifications of the application.

Proficient - Independently applies ethical viewpoints to an ethical question correctly, but does not consider the specific ramifications of the application.

Basic - Applies ethical viewpoints to an ethical question with support, but is unable to apply ethical perspectives/concepts independently.

Below Expectations - Inaccurately constructs ethical viewpoints to an ethical question.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the 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 presentation, title and reference slides.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the presentation; however, the layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the presentation. The 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 presentation is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted slides. 

Proficient - The length of the presentation is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted slides. 

Basic - The length of the presentation is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted slides.

Below Expectations - The length of the presentation is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted slides.

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, which provide compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference slide 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 slide 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 slide 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 slide 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.