Assignment Structure Commentary
The purpose of this commentary is to help you understand how to interpret and apply the assignment
description and some portions of the grading criteria provided for GCAP graduate papers to come up
with a topic, initial direction, and structure for your paper. The assignment description in the
comparative case analysis paper (GCAP 631) starts with the following statements:
For the purposes of this paper, you are required to select one theoretical model from List A (models covered in the
course) and one model from List B (other models not directly covered in the course).
You are also required to select one of the Client Scenarios as a focus for your paper.
The intent of this paper is to further highlight the ways in which different theories can be applied to the same client,
with positive outcomes, so long as the additional common factors are attended to. More specifically, in this paper you
will be asked to compare and contrast two counselling models and apply them to a specific client scenario.
1. Compare and contrast the major tenets of each theory, paying particular attention to the Philosophical Elements
(stated or implicit working assumptions that guide the theories) and the Descriptive Elements (explanation of
how well the theory explains the phenomena it is intended to explain). Please refer to the Nature of Theory
commentary from Lesson 1.
These paragraphs provide you with some general directions for getting started. You now know the
following:
o You must select two theories or theoretical models to compare.
o You must draw on one of the client scenarios
o You must use a particular set of criteria presented in the course to make this comparison.
This means you likely don’t want to pick an obscure model that might be difficult to assess
using these criteria.
The rest of the items in the assignment description table (column 1) provide you with more detailed
information about the topic and required content of the paper.
2. Provide a brief analysis of the "problem," from the two different theoretical perspectives. Draw on your understanding
of the nature of humans, the nature of healthy (or well-adjusted functioning), the causes of problems (or not
functioning in a healthy manner), and the nature of change (from the first section of your paper above).
3. Formulate two different intervention plans (one based on each of the two theories), describing what you would do to
be helpful to the client.
4. For each intervention plan, describe how common factors would facilitate a successful counselling outcome. Review
the Evaluative Element from the Nature of Theory commentary and describe the significance of both theory-specific
and common factors in fostering a successful outcome for the fictional client.
5. Provide a brief summary of what you have learned about the nature of theory over and above the specific counselling
models. Be sure to comment on the relationship of common factors to the application of theory.
Beneath the assignment description table, you are given specifics about the length and sources for the
paper:
Your paper should be a maximum 15 pages, double-spaced, and must adhere to APA style. You are expected to
provide substantive references for both of the theoretical models that you integrate. See the GCAP Scholarly
Foundation in Writing for the number of recent, scholarly sources required for a paper of this length.
Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 1
You know you have 15 pages to work with to complete the paper. Unless otherwise indicated, you
should assume that your reference list is not included in the 15 pages. What you can now do is set
yourself specific targets for a 15-page paper. In some courses, you will be given specific page lengths
for various sections of the paper. In this case, you have to figure this out for yourself, but there are
some clues provide in the grading criteria table, copied below.
Grading Criteria
Weight
25 Marks
Scholarly Writing and APA Style - See APA Style Grading Criteria.
Your instructor will focus particularly on the elements outlined under the “Scholarly Writing Focus” above.
2 marks
Comparison of theoretical tenets
 Clear and concise descriptions of the major tenets of each model
 Analysis of and discrimination between ideas, assumptions, or principles
 Integration of the professional literature to support your arguments
8 marks
Problem conceptualization for the client scenario
 Application of the theoretical tenets to the “problem”
 Reasoned rationale for your conceptualization
 Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas
5 marks
Application of intervention plan to the client scenario
 Application of the theoretical tenets to the intervention plan
 Reasoned rationale for your conceptualization
 Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas
5 marks
Integration of theory specific and common factors
 Analysis and application of these principles
 Reflection on value and applicability
 Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas
3 marks
Summary
 Analysis and reflection on personal learning
2 marks
Penalties will apply for failure to adhere to the following GCAP Writing Standards:
o
Start with the basic mathematics. In this course each section of the paper is specified in the
evaluation criteria table. The content of the paper (less APA style) is worth 23 marks. Therefore,
for each mark, you should allot approximately 2/3 of a page (15/23).
o
Take this basic formula and work out the approximate number of pages for each section of this
paper. So, for example, comparison of theoretical tenets is worth 8 marks. So, 8 x 2/3 page = 5
and 1/3 pages out of the total of 15 pages. If you only devote 2 pages to this section, you are
not likely to cover all that is expected of you! [Note: This will only work for papers that have
specific sections designated for you. Over time, you are expected to come up with your own
structure for assignments.]
Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 2
o
Next, you should consider how the number of marks might translate into the number of key
points you should target in each section of the paper. Normally, I would suggest you aim for one
key point per half page of text. In this case, with 2/3 of a page per mark, you should probably
target one to two key points per mark. Apply this to the evaluation components that make up the
body of the paper. Or, you are work this out by section - the section on comparison of
theoretical tenets, for example, should have at least 10 to 11 key points in the 5+ pages you
write.
o
Think of a key point as the central idea that you want to communicate, which may then have a
number of supporting statements associated with it. The chocolate chip cookie is the key point;
the ingredients you use are the supporting statements. You can’t easily make meaning of the list
of ingredients unless you tie them clearly to the chocolate chip cookie!
o
It is not always necessary for you to organize your paper into the specific categories in the
assignment description. In a paper like this, it is probably easiest to do so. However, you may
decide on a different structure, but you must make explicit to the reader where each of these
components is addressed. It should also be very clear how many key points apply to each area.
Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 3
Grading Criteria
The evaluation components for the Theoretical Comparison assignment are described below. Refer to
the Overall Grading Taxonomy to review the expectations associated with the levels of learning
targeted through this assignment.
The page number and key point discussion above has been added to the table here.
Evaluation
Component
APA Style
Introduction
Philosophical
Element
Descriptive
Element
Prescriptive
Element
Evaluative
Element
Summary
Description
See APA Style Grading Criteria
Introduction and history of the
theories
Identification of the stated or
implicit assumptions that guide
the theories
Explanation of how the theories
describe the process of
psychotherapy
Explanation of what the theories
suggest for direct intervention
strategies
Evaluation of how well the
theories lend themselves to
confirmatory research
Assessment of whether or not
they have been subjected to such
confirmatory research
Summary of the paper and
conclusions
Weight
(25
marks)
3 marks
1 mark
Writing Targets
2/3 page
4 marks
2 2/3 pages = 4 - 6 key
points minimum
6 marks
4 pages = 6 - 8 key points
minimum
6 marks
4 pages = 6 - 8 key points
minimum
4 marks
2 2/3 pages = 4 - 6 key
points minimum
1 mark
2/3 page
As you write your paper, keep the number of key points and approximate page lengths in mind. Then,
once you have completed your first draft, review the paper to ensure that you have met these basic
criteria.
Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 4
The same process can be applied to the Cultural Interview paper from GCAP 633. In this case, you
have 15 pages for 36 marks (40 marks less 4 for APA). This means that you need to plan for about 2/5
of a page per mark. This is a little under the half page per key point suggestion, so aiming for a bit less
than one key point per mark is probably safe.
Notice that no specific marks have been allotted to the introduction and conclusion of the paper. You
are still expected to include them, so you will need to take this into account when you review your paper
structure.
Evaluation Component
APA Style - See APA Format Grading Criteria
Articulation of the central multicultural theoretical
constructs or processes that you see as relevant to
the interviewee's experience
Identification of how these theoretical perspectives
lend an understanding to the experience of the
person being interviewed
Elaboration on the professional practice
considerations in working with a client from this
particular background or culture, with particular
attention to the application of the multicultural
competencies
Reflection on your own personal learning through
the experience of completing this cultural interview
Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 5
Weight
(40
marks)
4 marks
6 marks
Writing Targets
3 3/5 pages = 4 - 5 key
points
12 marks
7 1/5 pages = 8 - 10 key
points
10 marks
5 pages = 7 - 8 key points
8 marks
4 4/5 pages = 6 - 7 key
points