Essay Guidelines
Race &Ethnicity
Your essay is worth 10% 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 FULL 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, and will result in an automatic 0 for this paper, even if properly cited. 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. 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: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/