Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text

Proficient - Explains two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly explains two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text; however the explanation is significantly underdeveloped, unclear, and/or is missing major components.

Non-Performance - The explanation of two theories/models of ethics/morality is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly compares and contrasts two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text. The comparison and contrast may need further development.

Basic - Briefly compares and contrasts two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text. The comparison and contrast is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to  compare and contrast two theories/models of ethics/morality as outlined in the text; however the comparison and contrast is underdeveloped, unclear, and/or is missing major components.

Non-Performance - The comparison and contrast of two theories/models of ethics/morality is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively compares each theory as it relates to all three identified topics. The comparison of each theory is supported by relevant examples.

Proficient - Compares each theory as it relates to all three identified topics. The comparison of each theory is supported by relevant examples. The comparison is missing minor details.

Basic - Briefly compares each theory as it relates to all three identified topics. The comparison of each theory is somewhat supported by examples. The comparison is missing major details.

Below Expectations - Attemps to compares each theory as it relates to all three identified topics; however, the comparison is not supported by examples, unclear and/or missing an identified topic.

Non-Performance - The comparison of each theory as it relates to the identified topics is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies a theory that best represents personal morality. Provides a thorough explanation of why the theory was chosen. The explanation is supported by examples from the text or personal experiences.

Proficient - Identifies a theory that best represents personal morality. Provides an explanation of why the theory was chosen. The explanation is supported by examples from the text or personal experiences, but may need further development.

Basic - Identifies a theory that best represents personal morality. Provides a brief explanation of why the theory was chosen. The explanation is supported somewhat by examples from the text or personal experiences but the explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies a theory that best represents personal morality and attempts to provide an explanation of why the theory was chosen; however, the explanation is not supported by examples from the text or personal experiences, is unclear, and/or is underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification of a theory that represents personal morality and explanation of why the theory was chosen are  either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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

Distinguished - Analyzes texts for scholarly significance and pertinence within and across the various disciplines, assessing them according to their contributions and consequences.

Proficient - Utilizes texts in the context of scholarship to expand a foundation of disciplinary knowledge and to raise and discover significant inquiries.

Basic - Employs texts with the intent and expectation of increasing knowledge.

Below Expectations - Approaches texts only within the context of assignment.

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

Distinguished - Employs persuasive 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 - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

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

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

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

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes 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 - 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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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 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 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.