Affirmative Action Policies have long been a source of hope, controversy, and resentment among the American people. Even as inequality along racial and gender lines persists in universities and workplaces, Americans disagree as to the best way to remediate these problems. Please read the following articles on the recent Supreme Court decision that ended the race-based affirmative action policies which have shaped college admissions processes for decades. You will then write a speech on the issue as if you are presenting it to an academic conference hosted by National University—although you are writing it as a speech you are required to use formal, scholarly language and cite your sources properly.
Specifically, you will focus on the issue of Affirmative Action policies as they apply to college admissions, and the continuing need to address diversity in higher education by examining the policies struck down by the court and reflecting upon alternatives.
Here are the links to the articles:
https://www.npr.org/2023/06/29/1181138066/affirmative-action-supreme-court-decision
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2023/07/26/would-ending-legacy-admissions-improve-elite-college
https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2023/07/princeton-class-based-affirmative-action-not-progressive
The parameters for your response are as follows:
The response must be between 1150-1250 words. Students that fall short of the required word count will receive a 10% deduction.
You must cite a minimum of 3 scholarly sources—news media articles do not count as scholarly sources, only peer-reviewed journals, books, etc. Provide data from peer reviewed sources on racial and gender inequality in higher education. Be as specific as possible and remember to name your sources directly so that your audience knows that they are high quality and reliable. Do not be afraid to quote sources directly with pertinent statistics or insights.
Review the traditional arguments (including relevant Supreme Court cases over the last half century) made by those who are conventionally in favor affirmative action policies and those against. Be sure to note whether these arguments are consistent with the data made available by scholarly studies on the topic, particularly as they pertain to the issue of college admissions and diversity in higher education. Take a clear position, either in defense of conventional affirmative action policies in higher education or you may argue for the need for a more novel approach to the topic. Be specific in why you are taking your position and defend that position with data from peer-reviewed studies. Remember, you are making an appeal to the public in a town hall and advocating for why your solutions are the best course of action!
You must include a works cited (not part of the word count) at the end.
Your response should include considerable reflection on the pertinent course terms and concepts, failing to reference these consistently throughout will result in a deduction.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Writing a speech on a complex topic like Affirmative Action policies can be overwhelming at first, but breaking the assignment down into manageable steps will make the process smoother. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you structure and write a strong speech for your academic conference presentation:
Step 1: Understand the Assignment
Before you dive into writing, take a moment to fully understand the parameters and expectations. Here’s what you need to focus on:
- Topic Focus: Your speech should center on the issue of Affirmative Action policies, particularly as they apply to college admissions.
- Supreme Court Decision: You will need to reflect on the recent Supreme Court decision that struck down race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
- Data and Sources: You must use three scholarly sources (peer-reviewed articles, books, etc.)—news media articles like NPR and Inside Higher Ed do not count.
- Word Count: Aim for 1150-1250 words. Falling short of this word count will result in a 10% penalty.
- Cite Your Sources: Make sure to properly cite your sources, especially when referencing statistics or direct quotes. Failure to do so could impact your grade.
Step 2: Research the Topic
Start by reading the articles provided in the assignment:
- NPR article: Focuses on the Supreme Court ruling.
- Inside Higher Ed article: Explores whether ending legacy admissions could help improve diversity.
- Daily Princetonian article: Discusses class-based affirmative action.
As you read these articles, take notes on key points, particularly about the historical context of Affirmative Action, the Supreme Court decision, and current arguments for and against the policy.
Step 3: Gather Scholarly Sources
While the articles provide valuable context, you also need three scholarly sources to strengthen your speech. Use library databases (like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or your university’s resources) to find peer-reviewed articles or books related to Affirmative Action policies, racial and gender inequality in higher education, and diversity efforts in academia.
- Tip: Look for sources that provide data, such as studies on racial gaps in college admissions, gender disparities in higher education, or historical discussions of Affirmative Action in law.
- Make sure to cite the authors directly in your speech and reference their work in your Works Cited section.
Step 4: Develop Your Thesis
Your speech should have a clear thesis or main argument. This could be one of the following:
- Defending traditional Affirmative Action policies: Argue that these policies are necessary to address racial and gender inequality in higher education.
- Arguing for a novel approach: Suggest alternative strategies (like class-based affirmative action or other methods) to promote diversity and equality in universities.
Step 5: Create an Outline for Your Speech
Structuring your speech logically is crucial. Here’s an outline to help you organize your ideas:
Introduction (Approx. 150-200 words)
- Start with a compelling hook to engage your audience (e.g., a relevant quote, statistic, or personal story).
- Introduce the topic: Briefly explain Affirmative Action and its role in college admissions.
- State your thesis: Clearly outline your position—whether you’re in favor of traditional Affirmative Action policies or advocating for a new approach.
Body of the Speech (Approx. 800-900 words)
- Historical Background of Affirmative Action: Provide context by discussing previous Supreme Court rulings, like Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), and the recent decision in 2023.
- Arguments in Favor of Affirmative Action: Explain why supporters argue that these policies are necessary. Use data from scholarly sources to support your points (e.g., statistics on racial and gender disparities in higher education).
- Arguments Against Affirmative Action: Present the opposing viewpoints. Discuss concerns about reverse discrimination and the potential for policies to be ineffective or outdated.
- Your Position: After examining both sides, state your position. Be clear and concise about whether you support Affirmative Action or suggest alternative policies.
- If you argue in favor of Affirmative Action, provide evidence (from your scholarly sources) that these policies are still necessary for diversity and equity in higher education.
- If you argue for a novel approach, suggest and defend alternatives like class-based affirmative action or socioeconomic diversity policies.
Conclusion (Approx. 150-200 words)
- Summarize your main points: Restate why your position is the best solution, drawing from the evidence and arguments you’ve presented.
- End with a strong closing: Conclude with a call to action or thought-provoking statement that reinforces your thesis.
Step 6: Incorporate Key Terms and Course Concepts
Remember to use the key terms and concepts from your course throughout your speech. These might include:
- Diversity
- Affirmative Action
- Race-based policies
- Inequality
- Discrimination
- Higher education
- Supreme Court rulings
- Socioeconomic status
Including these terms consistently will show your understanding of the course material and ensure that your speech is academically grounded.
Step 7: Write the Speech
Now that you have your outline, it’s time to write the speech. Remember to maintain a formal, scholarly tone throughout. Be sure to:
- Use formal language appropriate for an academic conference.
- Cite your sources properly when referencing studies, data, or direct quotes.
- Keep your audience in mind: You’re presenting to an academic crowd, so aim for clarity, persuasiveness, and solid evidence.
Step 8: Edit and Proofread
Once you’ve written your speech, set it aside for a bit before reviewing it. Look for:
- Clarity: Is your thesis clear and well-supported?
- Grammar and punctuation: Ensure there are no typos or errors.
- Flow: Make sure your speech flows logically from one section to the next.
- Citations: Double-check that your sources are correctly cited in both the speech and the Works Cited section.
Step 9: Finalize Your Works Cited
Don’t forget to include a Works Cited page (not part of the word count). List all the scholarly sources you used, formatted in MLA, APA, or another citation style as instructed by your professor.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to structure and write a well-informed, scholarly speech that effectively addresses the topic of Affirmative Action policies in higher education. Take your time, use the right sources, and most importantly, be confident in your argument. You’ve got this!
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