Rubric:
1. Understanding Ethical Choices (25 Points)
(25) Student thoroughly discusses at least two sides of an ethical choice to be made.
(20) Student thoroughly discusses one side and partially describes another side of an ethical
choice to be made.
(15) Student partially explains two sides of an ethical choice to be made.
(10) Student attempts to explain only one side of an ethical choice to be made.
(0) Student is unable to articulate an ethical choice to be made.
2. Decision-Making (30 Points)
(30) Student states a position on the issue with a more detailed explanation and/or reasons for the
position and addresses objections to their position.
(25) Student states a position on the issue with a more detailed explanation and/or reasons for the
position.
(15) Student states a position on the issue but only provides limited explanation and/or reasons
for the position.
(10) The student states a position on the issue without providing any reasons for the position.
(0) Student does not take a clear ethical position on the issue
3. Consequences (30 points)
(30) Student identifies consequences of the actions taken and demonstrates a sophisticated
understanding of the scope, complexity and/or magnitude of the consequences.
(25) Student identifies consequences and demonstrates a moderate understanding of the scope,
complexity and/or magnitude of the consequences.
(15) Student alludes to consequences of the choices, but demonstrates a limited understanding of
the scope, complexity and/or magnitude of the consequences.
(10) Student alludes to the consequences of each choice.
(0) Student does not identify any consequences of the choices available
4. Knowledge of Civic Responsibility and Engagement with Communities (20 points)
(20) Recognizes and discusses one’s civic responsibility to a specific community, understands
the purpose and/or benefits of their engagement, describes effective participation in civic
engagement activities, and discusses actions one should take as a citizen to address the pertinent
issues within one’s community.
(15) Recognizes and discusses one’s civic responsibility to a specific community, describes
effective participation in civic engagement activities, and discusses actions one should take as a
citizen to address the pertinent issues within one’s community.
(10) Recognizes and discusses one’s civic responsibility to a specific community and discusses
actions one should take as a citizen to address the pertinent issues within one’s community.
(5) Recognizes and discusses one’s civic responsibility to a specific community
(0) Does not recognize one’s civic responsibility to a community.
5. Mechanics and Organization (25 points)
(25) Clear Organization. Introduction is inviting, states the thesis, and previews the structure of
the paper. Details are in logical order. Conclusion is strong and states the point of the paper. Few
errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure and grammar. Follows format
directions: 750-words Double-spaced and one-inch margins, font is 12-point, TIMES NEW
ROMAN.
(20) Clear organization. Introduction clearly states thesis and previews structure but is not
particularly inviting to reader. Details are in logical order but may be presented in less interesting
ways. Conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all loose ends. Occasional errors in spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure and grammar, but meaning is not obscured.
Follows format directions: 750-words Double-spaced and one-inch margins, font is 12-point,
TIMES NEW ROMAN.
(15) Significant lapses in organization. Introduction states thesis but does not adequately preview
the structure, nor is it particularly inviting. Some details not in logical or expected order and this
is distracting. Conclusion is recognizable but does not tie up all loose ends. Frequent errors of
spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure and grammar; meaning confused or
obscured. Format directions are not fully followed: less than 750-words, perhaps no Double-
spacing or one-inch margins, font might not be 12-point, TIMES NEW ROMAN.
(10) Poor, hard-to-follow organization. There is no clear introduction of the main topic or
structure of the paper. There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends. Little or no employment
of supporting evidence – reader left to fill in gaps; thesis meagerly (if at all) established and
introduction vague or too brief + weak or non-existent conclusion = seeming total disregard for
progression of ideas. Dominated by errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence
structure and grammar, meaning at times unidentifiable. Format directions are not fully followed:
less than 750-words, perhaps no Double-spacing or one-inch margins, font might not be 12-
point, TIMES NEW ROMAN.
6. Sources & Works Cited: (20 Points)
(20) Contains 4 historical sources. The bibliography is well-organized, with a clear heading. All
sources are properly cited using MLA citation style. Citations include complete and accurate
information (author, title, publication date, etc.).
(15) Contains 3-4 historical sources. The bibliography is organized with a heading. The majority
of sources are properly cited using MLA citation style. Citations include complete and accurate
information (author, title, publication date, etc.).
(10) Contains 2-3 historical sources. The bibliography is somewhat organized and may have a
heading. Sources use a form of citation but may not be in proper MLA style. Citations do not
include all complete and accurate information (author, title, publication date, etc.).
(5) The bibliography is present. Citations do not include all complete and accurate information
(author, title, publication date, etc.). Sources are not appropriate historical references.
(0) No Bibliography
