Distinguished - Includes a comprehensive introduction and a clear thesis statement that effectively reflects the argument of the paper and links the chosen ethical theories and perspective to the chosen social issue.

Proficient - Includes an introduction and a thesis statement that reflects the argument of the paper and links the chosen ethical theories and perspective to the chosen social issue. The introduction or thesis statement is slightly underdeveloped. 

Basic - Includes a limited introduction and a limited thesis statement that reflects the argument of the paper and links the chosen ethical theories and perspective to the chosen social issue. The introduction and/or thesis statement are underdeveloped. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an introduction and a thesis statement; however, the thesis does not reflect the argument of the paper and does not link the chosen ethical theories and perspective to the chosen social issue. The introduction and thesis statement are significantly underdeveloped. 

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes at least two ethical theories and one ethical perspective in an accurate, clear, and concise manner. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the course material.

Proficient - Describes at least two ethical theories and one ethical perspective, in an accurate and concise manner. Demonstrates an understanding of the course material. Some details are slightly unclear.

Basic - Somewhat describes at least two ethical theories and one ethical perspective, but demonstrates a limited understanding of the course material. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe at least two ethical theories and one ethical perspective; however, does not demonstrate an understanding of the course material, and significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The description of at least two ethical theories and one ethical perspective is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately identifies the social issue and effectively applies the chosen theories and perspective, thoroughly and clearly explaining how they address the chosen issue.

Proficient - Identifies the social issue and applies the chosen theories and perspective, explaining how they address the chosen issue. One of the components is slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Identifies the social issue and applies the chosen theories and perspective, somewhat explaining how they address the chosen issue. At least one of the components is unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Identifies the social issue and attempts to apply the chosen theories and perspectives, however, does not explain how they address the chosen issue and all components are significantly unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The social issue and application of the theories and perspective are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how the draft will be further developed in the Final Paper. 

Proficient - Explains how the draft will be further developed in the Final Paper, but a few of the details are too broad in scope.

Basic - Partially explains how the draft will be further developed in the Final Paper and some details are too broad in scope.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the draft will be further developed in the Final Paper; however, many details are too broad in scope. 

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the draft will be further developed in the Final Paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

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

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

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.