This document outlines a rubric for evaluating definition argument essays in an ENG-106 course. It provides criteria in five areas - content and ideas, organization, format, language and style, and grammar and mechanics. Each area is worth a certain percentage of the total grade and describes expectations at unsatisfactory, less than satisfactory, satisfactory, good, and excellent levels. Scores are determined by assessing how well the student's work meets the descriptors for each level based on the percentage values listed.

1. ENG-106 Rubric: Definition Argument
Criteria
% Value
1: Unsatisfactory
2: Less Than Satisfactory
3: Satisfactory
4: Good
5: Excellent
% Scaling
0%
65%
75%
85%
100%
Content & Ideas – 40%
Definition Argument Content and Ideas Should:
Include an effective title.
Provide a thesis that centers specifically on an argument of
definition.
Establish clear criteria related to the definition in question.
Match one or more cases to the established criteria.
Use evidence appropriate for definitional arguments.
40%
Does not have title, and has missing or indiscernible thesis
statement and minimal evidence to support main ideas.
Argument includes elements of reasoning by definition, but
does not center on a definition argument. Student does not use
outside sources.
Title may not suggest subject and does not spark interest. Thesis
statement and/or the controlling idea are not clearly stated.
Argument includes elements of a definitional argument, but
does not use strategies (especially the criteria-match structure)

2. very well. Ideas are underdeveloped and clichéd. They do not
support the thesis. Evidence from outside sources can be
irrelevant.
Title suggests subject but does not spark interest. Thesis
statement identifies the main point the author is trying to make.
Most of content relates to thesis statement, but lacks sufficient
support through appropriate strategies. Argument centers
specifically on a definitional argument, but may not effectively
uses strategies that support it, including matching criteria for
definition arguments Cited evidence sometimes does not justify
ideas.
Title suggests subject but does not necessarily spark interest.
Thesis statement clearly identifies the main point the author is
trying to make. Argument centers specifically on a definitional
argument and uses strategies that support it, including matching
criteria for definition arguments. Most of the content supports
thesis, and cited evidence usually justifies ideas.
Title suggests subject and sparks interest. With a clear,
controlling idea, thesis statement effectively identifies the main
point the student is trying to make. Content supports thesis
well. Argument centers specifically on a definitional argument
and effectively uses strategies that support it, including
matching criteria for definition arguments Specific, cited
evidence justifies ideas and enriches the essay.
Organization – 12%
Organization
12%
No apparent organization present. Ineffective introduction does
not invite readers or explain the subject. The reader cannot find
the thesis statement. Underdeveloped paragraphs lack focus and
topic sentences. No conclusion present.
No apparent organization present. Introduction explains subject,
but does not engage readers. Thesis is difficult to find.
Underdeveloped paragraphs lack focus and topic sentences.
Weak conclusion offered.

3. Organization is clear, but with minor errors. Introduction
explains subject, but does not adequately engage readers. Thesis
may be misplaced. Paragraphs are not developed around topic
sentences, and may not always advance essay's ideas.
Conclusion summarizes but does not conclude.
Organization aids readers in understanding content. Introduction
explains subject, but may not engage readers. Thesis statement
is placed appropriately, according to the genre set forth in the
assignment description in the syllabus. Well-ordered paragraphs
are developed around topic sentences, and advance essay's
ideas. Conclusion may be more of a summary.
Logically organized to lead readers to understanding content.
Introduction explains subject and engages readers. Thesis
statement is placed appropriately, according to the genre set
forth in the assignment description in the syllabus. Well -ordered
paragraphs are developed around topic sentences, and advance
essay's ideas. Conclusion provides strong, satisfying ending, not
a mere summary of the essay.
Format – 16%
Paper Format
16%
Layout: Essay lacks more than THREE of the following:
double-spaced, 12 pt, Times New Roman font, 1inch margins,
heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment
title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. Not
all information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are
cited on the page they appear; little or no in-text citations
and/or entries on reference page used; major documentation
oversights noted; major format errors and omissions noted;
inappropriate number of required sources used.
Layout: Essay lacks THREE of the following: double-spaced, 12
pt. Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name,
course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers
using appropriate header function. Not all information,
paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the

4. page they appear; missing more than one citation and/or
reference entry; significant documentation oversights noted;
significant format errors or omissions noted; inappropriate
number of required sources used.
Layout: Essay lacks TWO of the following: double-spaced, 12
pt. Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins, heading (with
name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page
numbers using appropriate header function. Not all information,
paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the
page they appear; missing one in-text citation and/or reference
entry; minor documentation oversights noted; minor formatting
errors or omissions noted; appropriate number of required
sources are used.
Essay lacks ONE of the following: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times
New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course,
date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using
appropriate header function. All information, paraphrases,
quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the page that they
appear and are listed on the references page (APA format);
some minor errors or omissions in format noted; appropriate
number of required sources is used.
Layout: Essay is double-spaced with 12 pt. Times New Roman
font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and
instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using
appropriate header function. All information, paraphrases,
quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited in parenthetical APA
format; all sources are listed on the references page (APA
format); all citations and reference entries are complete and in
alphabetical order; appropriate number of required sources is
used.

5. Language & Style – 16%
Language & Style
16%
Voice & tone are inappropriate and ineffective in creating
appropriate mood. Inappropriate word choice used. Sentence
structure includes ungrammatical structures and no variety.
Writing is wordy.
Voice & tone are inappropriate and ineffective in creating
appropriate mood. Word choice fails in use of appropriate,
precise language and strong verbs. Includes too many to be
verbs. No attempt to vary sentence structure noted. Writing is
wordy.
Voice & tone usually do not characterize ideas appropriately or
effectively create appropriate mood. Word choice includes
nonstandard outdated usage, too many to be verbs, is not
precise, and is occasionally incorrect. Some slang or jargon
exists in the paper. Inadequate variety in sentence structure
noted. Writing is wordy.
Voice & tone usually characterize ideas effectively create
appropriate mood. Word choice usually includes current
standard usage, active verbs, concrete nouns, and precise words.
Some slang or jargon exists in the paper. Some variety of
sentence structures strengthens the ideas, creates vitality, and
avoids choppiness in the writing. Writing is mostly concisely
written.
Voice & tone characterize ideas and effectively create
appropriate mood. Word choice includes current standard usage,
active verbs, concrete nouns, and precise words. Sentence
structures strengthen the ideas, create vitality, and avoid
choppiness in the writing. Writing is concise.
Grammar & Mechanics – 16%
Grammar & Mechanics
16%

6. Demonstrates no control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation
conventions.
Many errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates minimal control of grammar, spelling, &
punctuation conventions. Several errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused

7. Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates reasonable control of grammar, spelling, &
punctuation conventions.
Some errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates high control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation
conventions. Few errors, such as:

8. Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates outstanding control of grammar, spelling, &
punctuation conventions.
No errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism

9. Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
PAGE
© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
ABC HOSPITAL FINANCIAL REPORT
4
ABC Hospital Financial Report
Ashley Timberlake
Capella University – Flex Path
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Executive Summary
Headquartered in Boston, MA, ABC Hospital Corporation takes
pride as one of the fastest growing healthcare organizations in

10. the United States due to its modern healthcare services. From a
humble beginning in 2000, the organization has more than 2,000
serving at least 500,000 patients in its 50 facilities spread
across 40 states in the United States. The corporation also seeks
to expand its operations outside the United States, starting with
Canada in 2022. Thus, it must have a healthy financial
performance to oversee its operations and finance its expansion
strategy. An analysis of the company’s financial statement
between 2017 and 2019 show that the company should increase
its profitability, and improve its liquidity as well as solvency
performance. The company’s net margin in 2017, 2018, and
2019 were less than 1 percent. Current ratios in 2017, 2018, and
2019 were 0.93, 0.95, and 0.98, respectively. Debt to equity
ratios in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were 1.36, 1.35, and -3.55. In the
market, investors are more likely to invest in the company as
evidenced by its price/book ratios of 0.37, 0.40, and 0.42 in
2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.
Company Background
Founded in 2000, the ABC Hospital Corporation is at the
forefront of offering quality healthcare services to patients.
From a small clinic in Boston, MA, the organization has grown
to become one of the United States’ integrated health systems.
With at least 2,000 caregivers spread around the country, ABC
Hospital has nearly 500,000 patient visits per year, at 50
locations. ABC Hospital is a leading provider of high-quality
specialized care, focused on offering clinical experience as well
as superior patient outcomes. The organization’s integrated
healthcare system comprises of outpatient clinics, wellness
centers, inpatient clinics, and hospitals spread across 40 states
in the country. In 2022, the company’s newest hospital will
open outside the United States in Canada. The organization
provides different types of services such as cardiology and heart
surgery, urology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery,
nephrology, and rheumatology. Other services include
orthopedics, pediatrics, pulmonology, diabetes and
endocrinology, neurology and neurosurgery, cancer, and

11. gynecology. It also specializes in ophthalmology, ear, nose and
throat, psychiatry, and rehabilitation.
Company’s Overall Financial Analysis
An analysis of income statement shows that ABC
Hospital’s revenue increase from $153.143 million in 2017 to
$167.939 million and $179.589 million in 2018 and 2019,
respectively. Operating expenses for the years ending 2017,
2018, and 2019 were $3.485 million, $3.168 million, and $4.026
million, respectively. Operating income increased from $1.060
million in 2017 to $1.443 million in 2018 before declining to
$1.112 million in 2019. Net income for the years ending 2017,
2018, and 2019 were $364,484, $1.658 million, and $855,365
respectively.
An analysis of the company’s balance sheet indicates that
current assets for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 were $25.894
million, $28.132 million, and $33.055 million, respectively.
Total assets for the three years were $37.670 million, $39.172
million, and $44.275 million, respectively. Total current
liabilities increased from $27.870 million in 2017 to $29.581
million and $33.853 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Long term debt in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were $4.159 million,
$4.034 million, and $3.618 million, respectively. Total equity in
2017, 2018, and 2019 were $3.050 million, $2.993 million, and
-$839,636.
A review of consolidated cash flow statements for 2017,
2018, and 2019 indicate a decrease in net cash provided by
operating activities from $1.504 million in 2017 to $1.411
million in 2018. However, net cash flow from operating
activities increased to $2.344 million in 2019. Net cash used in
investing activities in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were $498,041,
$1.111 million, and $375,832, respectively. Net cash used in
financing activities in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were $1.313
million, $242,873, and $1.087 million, respectively.
Financial Ratio Analysis
It is possible to assess ABC Hospital’s financial health by
determining some of its vital financial ratios. Horngren et al.

12. (2012) indicate that ratio analysis is a diagnostic tool used to
determine sources of financial successes or troubles at an
organization. Generally, there are five categories of ratios:
liquidity ratios, profitability ratios, solvency ratios, asset
management ratios, and market value ratios. Liquidity ratios
focus on the ability of a company to pay its short term financial
obligations by using its current assets (Table 1 shows ratio
analysis for ABC Hospital Corporation). Common examples
include current ratio, cash ratio, and quick ratio. An analysis of
ABC Health’s liquidity performance shows its current rati os for
2019, 2018, and 2017 at 0.98, 0.95, and 0.93, respectively.
While the company’s current ratio increased over the three
financial years, it is not in a better position to finance its short-
term financial obligations by using its current assets. In 2019,
for instance, the company had 98 cents in current assets for
every $1 in current liabilities.
Profitability ratios assess an organization’s ability to
generate profit, thus essential for investors interested in
investing in profitable companies. Common examples of
profitability ratios are net margin and return on equity. Net
margin is a ratio of net income to net revenue while return on
equity measures returns to shareholders on their stock
investments in an organization (Weil, Schipper & Francis,
2014). ABC Hospital’s net margin increased from 0.24% in
2017 to 0.99% in 2018 before declining to 0.48% in 2019. In
essence, ABC Hospital could not manage to keep 1 cent for
every $1 of sales revenue. The company’s return on equity in
2017, 2018, and 2019 were 13%, 57%, and 30%, respectively.
The increase in return on equity between 2017 and 2018
suggests that the organization managed to increase its profit
generation without requiring much capital. The lower net profit
margins and declining return on equity between 2018 and 2019
imply that the company is less profitable.
Solvency ratios are important metrics used to assess the
ability of an organization to meet its long-term debt obligations.
They indicate whether an organization has sufficient cash flow

13. to finance its long-term liabilities. Common examples of
solvency ratios are debt ratio, debt to equity ratio, and interest
coverage ratio (Weil, Schipper & Francis, 2014). ABC
Hospital’s debt to equity ratios in 2017, 2018, and 2019 were
1.36, 1.35, and -3.55, respectively. In essence, the company
used $1.36 and $1.35 in debt for every $1 of shareholders’
equity. Hence, the debt level in 2017 and 2018 was 136% and
135% of equity. The company is financially stable because of
its lower debt to asset ratio.
From an investor’s perspective, it is important to
determine the difference between the market value of an
organization’s stock and its book value. In this regard, price to
earnings ratio and price to book ratios are vital (Scott,
2015). ABC Hospital price to earnings ratio increased from 9.14
in 2017 to 10.63 in 2018 and 12.10 in 2019. The company’s
share price remained static at $83.62 across the three years.
However, its earnings per share declined from $9.15 in 2017 to
$7.87 and $6.91 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. For an investor,
ABC is less profitable because one will have to invest $12.10 in
2019 to receive $1 of the organization’s earnings. The
company’s price to book ratio also increased from $0.37 in 2017
to $0.40 and $0.42 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In essence,
investors were willing to pay 42 cents for every dollar of book
value equity.
Table 1: Ratio Analysis for ABC Hospital Corporation
Ratio
2019
2018
2017
Net margin= net income/ revenue
0.48%
0.99%
0.24%
Return on Equity=net income/shareholders' equity
30%
57%

14. 13%
Current ratio=current assets/current liabilities
0.98
0.95
0.93
Debt to equity = long term debt/shareholders' equity
-3.55
1.35
1.36
Price/Earnings=Share price/EPS
12.10
10.63
9.14
Price/Book=Share price/book value per share
0.42
0.40
0.37
Trend Analysis
An analysis of ABC Hospital’s income statement shows
that revenue increased by 17.27 percent between 2017 and 2019,
and operating expenses increased by 15.52% during the same
period. The company’s operating income increased by 4.91
percent between 2017 and 2019. Net income also increased by
134.68 percent during the period. Table 2 shows trend analysis
for income statement. Table 3 shows the trend analysis for
balance sheet statement items between 2017 and 2019. Current
assets and total assets increased by 27.66% and 17.53% between
2017 and 2019, respectively. Current liabilities also increased
by 21.47% over the same period. However, long term debt and
total equity decreased by 13.01% and 127.53% between 2017
and 2019, respectively. Net cash provided by operating
activities increased by 55.85% between 2017 and 2019. There
was also an increase of 347.56% in net cash used in financing
activities during the same period. However, net used in
investing activities decreased by 24.54 percent between 2017

15. and 2019. Table 4 shows trend analysis for cash flow statements
between 2017 and 2019.
Table 2: ABC Hospital’s income statement trend analysis
between 2017 and 2019
Income statement (extract) in $thousand
2019
2017
%Increase/decrease
Revenue
179,589
153,143
17.27%
Operating expenses
4,026
3,485
15.52%
Operating income
1,112
1,060
4.91%
Net income
855.37
364.48
134.68%
Table 3: ABC Hospital’s balance sheet statement trend analysis
between 2017 and 2019
Balance sheet statement (extract) in $thousand
2019
2017
%Increase/decrease
Current assets
33,055
25894
27.66%
Total assets

16. 44,275
37,670
17.53%
Current liabilities
33,853
27,870
21.47%
Long term debt
3,618
4,159
-13.01%
Total equity
-839.64
3,050
-127.53%
Table 4: ABC Hospital’s cash flow statement trend analysis
between 2017 and 2019
Cash flow statement (extract) in $thousand
2019
2017
%Increase/decrease
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,344
1,504
55.85%
Net cash used in investing activities
375.83
498.04
-24.54%
Net cash used in financing activities
1,087
242.87
347.56%
Competitive Comparative Analysis

17. A ratio analysis of HCA Hospital’s financial statement for
the year 2019, ABC Hospital’s major competitor, shows that it
had a net margin of 6.83%. In essence, it performed better than
ABC Hospital during the year in as far as net margin is
concerned. However, its return on equity of -125% is
significantly lower than ABC Hospital’s return on equity of 30
percent. Unlike ABC Hospital, HCA Hospital is in a better
position to finance its short-term financial obligations as
evidenced by its current ratio of 1.44. However, HCA Hospital
is more insolvent as evidenced by its high debt to equity ratio of
-11.96% compared to ABC Hospital’s debt to equity ratio of -
3.55
Table 5: HCA Hospital ratio analysis for 2019
Ratio
2019
Net margin= net income/ revenue
6.83%
Return on Equity=net income/shareholders' equity
-125%
Current ratio=current assets/current liabilities
1.44
Debt to equity = long term debt/shareholders' equity
-11.96
Conclusion
An analysis of ABC Hospital Corporation’s shows that the
company is not in a position to meet its short term financial
obligations. In addition, it is highly insolvent as evidenced by
high debt to equity ratio. The company is less profitable as
evidenced by net margins of less than 1 percent in 2017, 2018,
and 2019. Nonetheless, the company’s price to book value of
less than $1 is good news to prospective investors.
Recommendations
ABC Hospital should:
i. Increase its market share and reduce operating expenses to
increase its net income

18. ii. Pay off current liabilities and have a faster conversion cycle
of accounts receivable to improve its current ratio
iii. Increase revenue to increase its debt-to-equity ratio. As it
increases it sales revenue it can reinvest some of the money and
pay down its debt.
References
Horngren, C., Harrison, W., Oliver, S., Best, P., Fraser, D., &
Tan, R. (2012). Financial accounting (7th ed.). Melbourne:
Pearson Higher Education AU.
Scott, W. R. (2015). Financial accounting theory (7th ed.).
Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada Inc.
Weil, R. L., Schipper, K., & Francis, J. (2014). Financial
accounting: An introduction to concepts, methods and uses
(14th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
Definition Argument Essay Assignment
Goal
Write a 1,500-1,750-word essay using five to seven academic
resources in which you argue that a contested “case” involving
the sale, trade, or donation of human organs fits (or does not fit)
within a given category. A case may include a specific news
article, story, or incident illustrating a dilemma or controversy
relating to the exchange of human organs. The case does not
need to be a court case.
Directions
Follow these steps when composing your essay:
1. Start by selecting a controversial case found in the media

19. involving the sale, trade, or donation of human organs. For
example, an appropriate case might include a story in the news
about an organ broker, and the term to define might be
“criminal.”
2. Decide what category you think your case belongs in, with
the understanding that others may disagree with you about the
definition of your category, and/or whether your chosen case
matches your category.
3. In the opening of your essay, introduce the case you will
examine and pose your definition question. Do not simply
summarize here. Instead, introduce the issue and offer context.
4. To support your argument, define the boundaries of your
category (criteria) by using a commonly used definition or by
developing your own extended definition. Defining your
boundaries simply means naming the criteria by which you will
discuss your chosen case involving the sale, trade, or donation
of human organs. If you determine, for example, that an organ
broker is a criminal, what criteria constitute this? A criminal
may intentionally harm others, which could be one of your
criteria.
5. In the second part of your argument (the match), show how
your case meets (or does not meet) your definition criteria.
Perhaps by comparing or sizing up your controversial case to
other cases can help you to develop your argument.
This essay is NOT simply a persuasive essay on the sale, trade,
or donation of human organs. It is an argumentative essay where
the writer explains what a term means and uses a specific case
to explore the meaning of that term in depth.
First Draft Grading
· You will receive completion points for the first draft based
upon the successful submission of a complete draft.
· Because your first draft is a completion grade, do not assume
that this grade reflects or predicts the final grade. If you do not
consider your instructor’s comments, you may be deducted

20. points on your final draft.
Final Draft Grading
The essay will be graded using a rubric. Please review the
rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar
with the assignment criteria and expectations.
Sources
· Include in-text citations and a references page in APA Style
for FIVE to SEVEN scholarly sources outside of class texts.
· These sources should be used to support any claims you make
and should be present in the text of the essay.
· Use the GCU Library to help you find sources.
· Include this research in the paper in a scholarly manner.
Format
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the
APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
LopesWrite
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for
assistance.
© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.