Your paper should be between 5-6 pages and should include an introduction, three sections with
subheadings indicating the themes/ideas most relevant to your development, and a conclusion.
Papers should be written in Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced with 1-inch
margins. Ensure your paper has been proofread and is free from spelling and grammatical
mistakes. It is always good practice to have someone else read your paper before your final
submission. You may also choose to visit the Psychology Writing Center. Specific guidelines for
each section of your paper and a rubric are available here. 
Introduction: 
Provide a brief description of your expectations coming into this class. Has your experience in
the course been consistent with those expectations? If not, why do you think that is? Foreshadow
your three themes that you will focus on within the body of your paper. 
Body of Your Paper: 
You will focus on three themes within the body of your paper. Create subheadings for each of
the three themes in order to help organize your paper. These themes represent topics/ideas that
have been most salient to you over the course of the semester. Within each section, discuss the
relevance of the concepts of your choice to your life. What two readings, activities, and/or
assignments sparked new thinking in these areas? Be sure to cite those sources. How has your
understanding of each of these concepts/themes evolved and changed over time? What major
events/developments in your life helped shape how you think about these concepts? Where do
you go from here? How can you use this in your future life and career? 
Conclusion: 
Provide a brief summary of your themes, why these themes were the most salient to you across
the course of the semester, and how/why you think these themes have/will impact your life going
forward. Provide any closing remarks or comments that you wish. As a note, students frequently
forget to put time and effort into their conclusion, which is an essential part of your paper. Be
mindful that your conclusion contains the essential elements you would want a reader to take
away from your paper.