Marginalised Populations: An Analytical Essay

Introduction

Briefly ‘set the scene’ by providing some information about the group who are marginalised (e.g., the size of the population, where they are located or other demographic information).

Provide a thesis statement (i.e., your argument or a justification for your essay. For example: “People who are intersex are marginalised because …” or “A human rights approach to reducing the marginalisation of people who are homeless will improve social and health outcomes because …”. Define key terms when you first introduce them in your essay.

Content – use the Sociological Imagination template to structure your essay

Identify historical, cultural and/or structural factors which are contributing to the marginalisation of the population and/or creating barriers to the social determinants of health. Note: these three factors do not have to be of equal weight or word count and should be relevant to marginalisation. For example:

• Historical Factors – Have societal attitudes changed in the way the marginalised population is accepted/viewed (e.g., are they more or less stigmatised now than in the past)?
• Cultural Factors – What are the issues and factors contributing to stigma and/or discrimination of your allocated population in Singapore? Are these linked to social norms or core social values? Are there different attitudes within the population towards this group (e.g., religious groups, minority groups)?
• Structural Factors – What are the barriers to accessing social institutions and resources such as transport, education, employment, and health? If relevant, briefly describe services or programs that are targeting the population to reduce inequity and/or marginalisation.

Provide specific and relevant evidence to support the points you make (e.g., dates for historical factors, statistics, numbers, comparative data). You must place your citation directly after each sentence where you have taken information from another source.

Discussion and Analysis

Your analysis should explain how the main factors identified in the content section impact the health and social wellbeing of the marginalised population. For example, you might analyse the impact of key social determinants of health on the population. This section is your opportunity to show your developing analytical skills.

Provide recommendations based on the barriers you have identified. Use a human rights approach to provide recommendations to reduce the marginalisation of the population and improve health and wellbeing. Make sure your recommendations are relevant to the diversity and culture of the marginalised population.

Conclusion

• Your conclusion should briefly explain how the thesis statement is justified. For example:
• Restate the most relevant issue contributing to marginalisation and why this must be addressed.
• Restate how the human rights approach outlined in the discussion section will reduce marginalisation.
• You could finish with a view to the future – what does the future look like for this population?

Essay Presentation

• Follow the APA formatting guidelines. Headings centred, bold, and in title case. Title and headings should follow APA guidelines for Level 1 headings – centred, bold, title case. See the example essay for correct formatting.
• Add the essay title to the first row of your essay.
• Double spacing in size 11 or 12 font, throughout the essay and reference list.
• Page numbers and your student number in the header – (page number align right top).
• Correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling (use grammar and spell check!).
• Vocabulary appropriate to Health Sciences.
• Formal tone – avoid personal pronouns (‘I,’ ‘we’), contractions (‘can’t’), and slang (‘kids’).
• Numbers under 10 should be in written format (e.g., ‘five’); numbers over 10 should be in numeric format (e.g., ’20’).
• Numbers at the very beginning of a sentence should be in written format (e.g., “Thirty-five …).
• Capitalize names of countries, people, and policies.
• Clear, simple language is best; the goal is to communicate your findings to the reader.