VPAB10H3 – Final Paper
In 2000 words or more (8 pages), discuss a topic related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in depth.
Font: 12-point Times New Roman, Double spaced. Spell check before you submit your paper. (3 points)
Your paper should include the following parts –
a) Introduction (3 points)
Clearly state your argument/statement/question and discuss the purpose of your paper. Lay a brief outline of what the reader might expect to find as they read through your paper. What aspect your positionality resonates with this topic, and why you are the right person to discuss this topic.
b) Literature review (10 points)
This is where you scan the literature as the groundwork for your paper. Provide background information and context to the question you are addressing in the paper. This section should help the reader understand the significance of the question you are asking, or the gap that you are addressing. This section is also where you outline for the reader the knowledge that already exists and situate your paper within that broader context.
c) Discussion (10 points)
This is where you interpret and evaluate the literature you have reviewed; and link the review with your observations. You can cite reports, data, or any current information not linked in the review to link to the past with the present, the global research to the local context. This is a section where you can critically analyze how your observations fit with the literature (or not), or the presence of patterns, or contradictions between the research and your observations. Or the limitations of the review (example: not applicable to the context within which you are exploring a question – why?). You can bring in theoretical frameworks to guide the reader (examples are intersectionality, discourse of power, etc.). If you are discussing multiple themes within this section, clearly state them and discuss each in depth as sections within the discussion section. Make sure to tie them in a coherent way (either in a thematic or a chronological way). This is also a section where you can discuss methods, if applicable. Examples of methods are databases searched, assessment of policies, historical timeline of a policy, etc. – ways in which you have collected the data to support your argument/observation.
d) Conclusion (4 points)
This is where you briefly summarize the key insights and offer recommendations or areas of further research. You must tie it back to the argument/statement/question you asked in the introduction section. Ask yourself – what do you want the reader to remember. Note that you do not introduce new information here but simply reiterate key points of your paper.
(e) References (3 points)
A minimum of 12 references, cited in APA style, and over a range of periods.