PSY1004F

Draft Essay Instructions

PLEASE NOTE! The instructions outlined on this document apply only to the Essay DRAFT
only. For the Main Essay, please see the instructions provided on Amathuba → Activities →
Main Essay.

Please direct queries about the essay to your tutor. You can also post questions in the
Discussions tab on Amathuba (see Activities → Discussion).

Due Date:
The completed essay draft should be submitted by Friday 24 March at 5pm.

Introduction:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has affected millions of lives globally,
and South Africa is one of the countries hardest hit by the virus. Antiretroviral (ARV)
medication has been proven to effectively manage the virus and prevent progression to
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, ensuring consistent and effective
adherence to ARV treatment is a major challenge in South Africa. In this essay, you will
explore the various barriers to ARV adherence in South Africa.

Task:
Your task is to write a comprehensive essay that outlines the major barriers to ARV
adherence in South Africa. Additionally, based on the literature that you have read,
choose one of the barriers you have already discussed, and evaluate one strategy that would
be effective at improving adherence for this barrier. You should research the topic
thoroughly and provide evidence-based information from academic literature to support your
arguments.

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Structure:
Your essay should have a clear introduction that provides background information on the
topic and sets the stage for your discussion. The body of the essay should be divided into
clear and logically organized sections that address the topic outlined above.
Your essay should include:
1. The cover page and plagiarism declaration provided (remember to fill in the
information on the cover page and sign the plagiarism declaration). Provided on
Amathuba → Activities → Assignments → Draft Essay. Please note that the cover page
and plagiarism declaration does not contribute to your word count.
2. An introduction paragraph that introduces the topic in general terms, provides the
context for the essay topic, provides an outline of the main points discussed in each
paragraph (in the order that they are discussed in the essay) and that includes a thesis
statement.
3. A paragraph that discusses the importance of addressing this essay topic e.g. the high
prevalence rates of non-adherence, the high treatment gap, the detrimental effects of not
taking ARVs, etc. in South Africa.
4. A discussion of some of the main/most important barriers to ARV adherence in
South Africa. It is recommended that you select about two to four barriers to discuss,
each barrier in separate paragraphs. It also important to support your discussion of these
barriers with evidence from academic literature and to cite these sources.
5. An evaluation of a particular strategy that can be implemented to improve
adherence. This should be discussed in a separate paragraph. Importantly, it should
relate to addressing one of the main barriers discussed in the body of your essay. It is
also important to support your evaluation of a strategy to overcome a barrier with
evidence from academic literature and to cite these sources.
6. A conclusion paragraph that should summarise your main findings and draw relevant
conclusions based on the evidence you have presented. Your conclusion is there to sum
up the key points discussed in the body of the essay and briefly tie together arguments
made in the essay (i.e., links back to the thesis statement in the introduction). You
should also include a brief discussion of ideas for future research based on what you
have found or concluded. Remember that you shouldn’t include any new information in
the conclusion as everything that is discussed in the conclusion should have been
mentioned in the body of the essay.
7. A reference list that lists all the sources used in the essay. Check to make sure that the
sources cited match the sources in the reference list and that you reference correctly
using APA format (7th edition). Please note that the reference list does not contribute
to your word count.

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Prescribed Readings/Sources:
You are expected to use a minimum of three of the prescribed readings given to you as well
as one of your own readings. Failure to follow these instructions will result in a mark
penalty. Readings should be from credible sources (i.e., academic literature) for your essay,
including academic journal articles, textbooks, government reports, etc. You are more than
welcome to use more than the number of readings listed above.

Word Limit:
The essay should be a maximum of 1200 words and a minimum of 1000 words (excluding
the cover page, plagiarism declaration, and reference list). Note that in-text referencing does
contribute towards the word limit.
• Should you go over the 1200-word limit, your final mark will have 1% deducted
for every 100 words extra that you write (i.e., if you submit a 1201-word essay, 1%
will be deducted from your final mark. If you submit a 1325-word essay, 2% will be
subtracted from your final mark).
• If you submit an essay less than 1000 words your assignment will not be marked.
You will then need to resubmit a completed assignment for DP purposes and will
receive a late penalty based on when you hand in. A completed assignment
therefore must be at least 1000 words.
Please note that the word count does NOT include the cover page, plagiarism
declaration or the reference list. Please check your wordcount carefully prior to submitting.

Formatting Instructions:
• The essay should be formatted using size 12, Times New Roman font, 1.5 line
spacing and normal margins (2.54cm margins). If you do not follow these
requirements, you will lose marks.
• You must fill in and use the cover page and plagiarism declaration provided on
Amathuba → Activities → Assignments → Draft Essay.
• Use APA 7th edition referencing style for all in-text citations and the reference list.
Please see your Blue Book (Amathuba → Content → Referencing, Formatting &
Plagiarism Outlines → Blue Book) for further information.
• Use APA 7th edition formatting guidelines regarding spacing between paragraphs,
formatting of headings, etc. Please see Blue Book for more information.

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Submitting your Essay:
• Your essay must be submitted electronically on Amathuba as a MS Word file format
(i.e., file extensions .doc, .docx) by 5pm on Friday 24 March. If your essay is not
submitted as a MS Word file then your essay will not be marked.
• A cover page that includes a signed plagiarism declaration should be included as the
first page of the essay. Without this your essay will not be marked.
• A penalty of 5% per day (including weekends) will be deducted for a late submission.
So even if you submit at 5:01pm, you will lose 5%. Please submit your essay at least
30 minutes prior to the deadline, to avoid any technical difficulties.

Plagiarism:
• When you are using information from books, journal articles etc., you must USE
YOUR OWN WORDS. You may NOT copy whole sentences or paragraphs from
other sources, even if you put the reference in brackets. This is a form of plagiarism,
because you are still using someone else's words. The only time you may use
someone else's words is when you use quotation marks ("xxx") to clearly indicate that
you are not using your own words. If you are unsure about these plagiarism rules,
please contact your tutor or the tutorial convenor.
• This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment, i.e., you may NOT work with other people,
students, etc. If you do so, you will be committing a serious plagiarism offence and
will be taken to University Court, where you face the possibility of expulsion.

Grading Criteria:
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Relevance and quality of research
• Organization and clarity of writing
• Evidence-based arguments
• Correct use of APA 7th Edition referencing style

PLEASE NOTE! The instructions outlined on this document apply only to the Essay DRAFT.
For the Main Essay, please see the instructions provided on Amathuba → Activities →
Assignments → Main Essay. Failure to follow the instructions outlined above will result in
a mark penalty.