Essay Guidelines

Race &Ethnicity

Your essay is worth 20% of your final grade. Please see your syllabus for due dates.

Your paper must be:

  • Typed
  • In 12 pt. , Times New Roman font
  • With 1 inch margins
  • On white background, in black ink
  • 3-5 pages, not a sentence more or less (5 pages recommended)
  • Double-spaced evenly throughout

Your heading must be single-spaced, and include only your name, the date, and the assignment title.You must include a Works Cited page with your paper, which is not included in the page limit. You must incorporate a minimum of 3 sources, from 2 different types of sources (text, internet, books, and articles).The use of Wikipedia is not permitted. You may use APA, MLA, or ASA style, but you must pick one style and stay consistent throughout.

Prompt:

-What is a minority group? Explain how race, ethnicity, religion, and gender constitute the basis for minority group status: What is a racial, ethnic, religious, or gender minority? Why are people subordinated based on these factors?

-What are other factors that are used to subordinate groups of people? List and describe at least 3 other types of minority groups.

-What steps, both legal and social, have been taken to elevate the status of minority group members? Research 2 laws and 2 organizations that were made to help minority groups. Give a history of each law/organization, and explain which group it has helped and how.

(This is where you show me you did your research- it will be the largest part of your paper.)

A successful paper will:

  • Show that you know what the terms race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and minority/subordinate group mean. For this, you may not list definitions, but clearly incorporate your understanding into the essay
  • Have good readability, flow, and coherence
  • Contain proper grammar and use of in-text citations
  • Provide evidence with strong supporting detail
  • Be appropriate in the quality and tone of the paper
  • Use appropriate academic sources
  • Present a clear and effective introduction, analysis,and conclusion

Papers will not be accepted late!!!

The following website may be useful in helping you format your Works Cited page and in-text citations: