| Recognizes Ethical Dilemma | Unable to clearly articulate or recognize an ethical dilemma. | Able to articulate an ethical dilemma. Grasp of ethical issues involved is weak. | Able to articulate an ethical dilemma. Grasp of the ethical issues involved is fair. | Able to articulate an ethical dilemma Grasp of ethical issues involved is firm. |
| Argumentative Structure | No grasp of the ethical issues involved. | An argument is not clearly stated in defense of an ethical position. | Some reasons are clearly stated. Reasons given are fair and provide an adequate defense of position. | An argument is clearly stated in defense of an ethical position. |
| Reasoning | No reasons are stated. | Reasons are not clearly stated. Reasons given may be weak or not. | Some reasons are clearly stated. Reasons given are fair and provide an adequate defense of position. | Several reasons are clearly stated. Reasons given are strong and provide a solid defense of position. |
| Alternative Positions | No alternative position is Considered. | An alternative position may or may not be considered. | As appropriate, an effort to present an alternative position is apparent although there may be some flaws in the reasoning. | As appropriate, an effort to present an alternative position is apparent with no flaws in reasoning |
