Write a 2000 word essay looking at a lifecourse approach to understanding health behaviours.

Biopsychosocial development across the lifecourse
2,000-word essay assessment structure guidance document

 

Overall essay structure

To structure this essay, write a short introduction at the start of the essay and a conclusion at the end of it. In between the three main sections outlined below, try to write a sentence that links the essay together, so it flows as one continuous piece of narrative, rather than separate sections. Try to think about the overall argument you are making about the topic you have chosen. There are marks awarded for presentation, grammar and spelling and logical development of the essay (5%).

Title

(not included in the word count) You can write your own title for this essay.

Introduction

You can introduce what you are going to be covering in your essay. This should just be a brief overview, but it is a good opportunity to tie the three parts of the essay together. For example: ‘This essay will summarise a research article on x, it will discuss y communication skills and identify relevant resources on z’. Include a sentence as to why the topic you are writing about is important for healthcare today.

First part of essay

In the first part of the essay, you should summarise the article using the techniques you have learnt throughout the seminars. This will include a summary of the aim of the study, the methods, the main findings and some of the authors interpretations of the findings. After this, you can begin to discuss the person in the case study. Here, you should demonstrate how the broader evidence about the lifecourse and the health behavior you are writing about can be used to understand and relate to the individual in the case study (40%).

Second part of the essay

In the second part of the essay, you should describe how you would use a strength-based approach to work with the person in the case study. For this part of the essay, take one of the strength-based communication approaches from the seminar series and justify why you would use that approach in the context of the case study you are looking at. Emphasise how you would use this e.g. what does the communication approach involve – to make the link clear between the topic and professional practice. You should also demonstrate some wider reading about strengths-based approaches. (20%)

Third part of the essay

In the third part of the essay, you will discuss the services and resources that could be helpful in working with those in the case study. You should include some suggestions along with what they offer, how these can be accessed or contacted and why they will help those in the case study. (20%)

Conclusion

The Conclusion should be a brief summary of what you have done in your essay – again bringing together the three parts of the essay, if you can, and perhaps providing a sentence about any implications for practice.

Citation practice

Throughout the essay, you should cite good quality literature/evidence to support your work (i.e. academic research articles, professional sources). A minimum of ten sources should be cited (10%).

 

Reference list

The full Reference list is not included in your word count and should appear at the end of your essay. Make sure you use the correct formatting. Check this link for help with referencing: Cite Them Right webpage (5%)

Word count

The essay should be 2,000 words. You are allowed to write up to 10% more than this – i.e. up to 2,200 words.

Grading and feedback rubric

Use the grading and feedback rubric document to carefully check you have addressed all the criteria – this is what markers use when they are marking your work, so it is important to read it carefully.