In your personal and professional life, you will face ethical choices, some of which will be tough and others that will be less so, and how you respond reveals what you value. In this assessment, you will be introduced to frameworks that can help you think clearly when faced with an ethical decision.

Understanding how to apply these frameworks will help you become a more thoughtful decision-maker, team member, and leader. Whether you are managing a conflict at work, weighing competing needs, or trying to do the right thing in a tough situation, ethical reasoning gives you tools to navigate uncertainty with integrity.

Assessment Preparation

Read the following scenario:

Imagine you are leading a short presentation at your workplace to help coworkers understand how using ethical frameworks can guide the decision-making process. Your audience includes peers who want to apply ethics in real-world situations.

Tone and style tips:

• Write like you’re explaining ideas to a peer, not a professor. You want to explain clearly, not offer your opinion.
• Use accessible language and real-world reasoning.

Assessment Deliverable

Write a 525- to 700-word presentation script in which you:

• Introduce two ethical theories.
• Apply one theory to a real-life example.
• Reflect on how ethical reasoning helps guide decision-making.

Use clear, accessible language and a conversational tone. Think: insightful lunch-and-learn, not academic lecture.

Script Structure

Each section includes a note about what will be assessed, so you know where to focus your effort.

Opening (paragraphs 1 and 2)

Assessed in Row 1, “Reflection on Ethical Reasoning,” in the rubric.

• Greet your audience and introduce the purpose of your presentation.
• Briefly explain why ethical decision-making matters in the workplace and broader society.
• Set the stage for why people might disagree about what’s right and why frameworks can help.

Overview of Two Theories (paragraphs 3 and 4) 

Assessed in Rows 2 and 3, “Explanation of Ethical Theory 1 and 2,” in the rubric.

Choose 2 ethical frameworks you have learned about so far in the course.

For each theory:

• Summarize the key ideas.
• Explain the kind of values or reasoning it emphasizes.

Real-World Example (paragraphs 5 and 6)

Assessed in Row 4, “Application of Theory to a Real-World Ethical Scenario,” in the rubric.

• Describe a situation that required an ethical decision to be made. This could come from your life, work, or a meaningful public example.
• Choose 1 of the two theories you chose in the Overview section.
• Show how this theory might be used to guide the reasoning or values during the decision-making process.
• Focus on how the framework helps someone think through the problem, not whether the final choice was “right.”

Conclusion (paragraphs 7 and 8)

Assessed in Row 5, “Reflection on Ethical Reasoning,” in the rubric.

• Wrap up your presentation with 2–3 key takeaways.
• Reflect on how ethical frameworks can support thoughtful, respectful decision-making.
• Invite your audience to consider how these ideas might (or might not) connect with their own values and life experience.

Script Format, Clarity, and Audience Awareness

Assessed in Row 6, “Script Format, Clarity and Audience Awareness” in the rubric.

Be sure to follow these guidelines for your script:

• Your script should be well-structured.
• Use a clear conversational tone suited to a workplace presentation.
• Your ideas should flow logically.

References and Citations (separate page)

Assessed in Row 7, “APA, Grammar, and Writing Mechanics,” in the rubric.

• Cite any sources you used according to APA guidelines.
• You don’t need to cite your real-life example.
• Refer to the Center for Writing Excellence and the Reference and Citation Generator for support.

How to Write an Ethical Decision-Making Presentation Script

Introduction

Begin by introducing the purpose of the presentation, explaining that ethical decision-making is an essential skill in both professional and personal settings because individuals regularly encounter situations where competing values, responsibilities, and interests must be balanced. Explain that ethical frameworks provide structured approaches for evaluating difficult situations, promoting fairness, accountability, and integrity rather than relying solely on personal opinions or emotions. Emphasize that people often disagree about what is ethically correct because they prioritize different values, experiences, and responsibilities. Conclude the introduction by explaining that the presentation will introduce two ethical theories, demonstrate how one framework can be applied to a real-world scenario, and reflect on the value of ethical reasoning in thoughtful decision-making.

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Section 1: Opening (Paragraphs 1–2)

Develop two introductory paragraphs that:

Welcome the audience.

Introduce the purpose of the presentation.

Explain why ethical decision-making matters in the workplace and everyday life.

Describe how ethical dilemmas arise when individuals face competing obligations, values, or interests.

Explain why ethical frameworks provide useful guidance for making consistent and well-reasoned decisions.

Maintain a conversational tone suitable for colleagues during a workplace presentation.

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Section 2: Overview of Ethical Theory One (Paragraph 3)

Select the first ethical theory covered in the course.

Examples may include:

Utilitarianism.

Deontology.

Virtue Ethics.

Ethics of Care.

Natural Law Ethics.

Rights-Based Ethics.

Justice Theory.

Summarize:

The central principles of the theory.

How ethical decisions are evaluated.

The values emphasized by the framework.

Situations where the theory is particularly useful.

Present the explanation using clear, accessible language.

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Section 3: Overview of Ethical Theory Two (Paragraph 4)

Introduce a second ethical framework.

Explain:

Its primary principles.

How it differs from the first theory.

The reasoning process it encourages.

The ethical values it prioritizes.

Provide practical examples that help the audience understand how the framework can be applied in professional settings.

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Section 4: Real-World Ethical Scenario (Paragraphs 5–6)

Describe a real-world ethical situation drawn from:

Your workplace.

Personal experience.

A professional environment.

A well-known public example.

Clearly explain:

The ethical dilemma.

The competing interests or values.

Relevant stakeholders.

Potential consequences.

Select one of the ethical theories introduced earlier.

Demonstrate how the chosen framework guides ethical reasoning by explaining:

The questions it encourages decision-makers to ask.

The values it prioritizes.

How it helps organize ethical thinking.

Focus on the reasoning process rather than proving that one outcome is objectively correct.

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Section 5: Conclusion (Paragraphs 7–8)

Develop two concluding paragraphs that:

Summarize the major lessons from the presentation.

Highlight two or three key takeaways regarding ethical decision-making.

Reflect on how ethical frameworks encourage thoughtful, respectful, and consistent decision-making.

Explain why ethical reasoning remains valuable when individuals disagree about the best course of action.

Invite the audience to consider how these frameworks might inform their own workplace decisions and personal experiences.

End with a strong closing statement emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership and professional integrity.

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Conclusion

Conclude the guide by emphasizing that ethical decision-making frameworks provide practical tools for navigating complex situations with integrity, fairness, and accountability. Reinforce that understanding multiple ethical theories enables professionals to evaluate competing perspectives while making well-informed decisions that respect organizational values and stakeholder interests. End by encouraging learners to continue developing their ethical reasoning skills as an important foundation for effective leadership, collaboration, and responsible professional practice.

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References

Prepare a References page using APA 7th edition formatting unless your instructor specifies another citation style. Arrange all references in alphabetical order without numbering. Include the required course materials, textbook, and any scholarly sources used to explain the ethical theories discussed in the presentation. Ensure that every in-text citation corresponds accurately to the reference list.

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