Possible Points

Your essay should address the following:

On time (-2 points for each day late)

15

Introduction

5

Overview of issue

5

A statistic or other piece of information that illustrates the importance and/or severity of the issue

5

Clear, coherent thesis statement

35

Nature of the Issue

5

Describe the issue

5

Describe how the issue is associated with relevant “-isms” (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, classism).

10

Describe how the issue is associated with the forms of oppression (e.g., cultural imperialism, marginalization, exploitation, powerlessness, violence). You are required to define and cite the forms of oppression. Note that not all topics will be associated with all 5 forms of oppression, discuss the ones most relevant to your topic. Write one paragraph for each form of oppression.

5

Indicate who the advantaged and disadvantaged groups are and why. (Consider how intersectionality, privilege and power affect people’s access to rights, resources, benefits & opportunities in society).

5

A counterargument that considers a possible argument against some aspect of your reasoning about the issue that a skeptical reader might have (e.g., the narrative of personal responsibility).

5

Return to your own argument and re-affirm it by providing an alternative explanation that makes more sense.

20

Advocacy Efforts

10

Describe past efforts at the micro, mezzo, and/or macro level

that have attempted to bring about change (Define micro, mezzo, and macro and indicate which efforts are micro, mezzo, or macro). You are required to discuss at least 2 levels of intervention (e.g., mezzo and macro or micro and mezzo).

5

To what extent were these past efforts effective? (Were the results positive or negative?)

5

What recent advocacy efforts are taking place (policies, media

campaigns, demonstrations) to promote social and economic justice? Define ally and identify the allies.

10

Future directions

5

Describe your vision of the future and what actions can be taken to achieve equity and equality.

Define equity and equality.

5

Provide specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of equity and equality. Remember that complex problems require complex solutions.

5

Conclusion

5

A short concluding paragraph that restates your thesis statement and summarizes the main points of your essay.

30

Writing

5

At least 5 peer-reviewed scholarly articles (published within the last 10 years)

5

Effective use of peer-reviewed articles to support arguments

5

Use of person-first and culturally-sensitive language

5

Paragraph structure

5

Grammar

5

References cited in-text and in the reference page in APA-style

5

Comment bubbles

(at least 2 substantial comments or questions that come to mind during the writing process, inserted using Microsoft Word)

120

Total Points