General Instructions This paper is a qualitative research study examining how Grown-ish represents biracial identity and higher education as spaces of negotiation and belonging.

General Instructions This paper is a qualitative research study examining how Grown-ish represents biracial identity and higher education as spaces of negotiation and belonging. The paper must be at least 25 pages long (excluding references and title page). It must follow APA 7th edition format: 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, double-spaced. Include proper in-text citations and references for all sources. The writing style should be academic, analytical, and theory-driven, not descriptive or plot-summary based. The paper should deeply analyze specific scenes and character interactions in Grown-ish as evidence for your claims. Note: The Methodology section is already written, so the writer must use it as-is, integrating it seamlessly with the rest of the paper. Paper Sections and Page Breakdown 1. Title Page (1 page) Follow APA 7th edition formatting: Title Your name Institutional affiliation Course name and number Instructor’s name Date 2. Abstract (1 page, 200–250 words) Write a concise summary that includes: The purpose of the study (examining biracial identity negotiation in Grown-ish). The research question. The qualitative approach (thematic analysis of episodes). A brief description of the data source (Grown-ish). The key themes found in the analysis (to be drawn from the Findings section). The broader implications for understanding race, identity, and higher education in media. 3. Introduction (2–3 pages) The introduction should set up the purpose, context, and significance of the study. Include: A brief description of Grown-ish and its cultural relevance. A discussion of how television represents identity, race, and education. Why biracial identity is an important focus in higher education narratives. The gap this study fills — few analyses focus on biracial identity negotiation in college-based shows. State the research question clearly. Briefly preview the method and major findings. End the introduction with a transition into the literature review. 4. Literature Review (4–5 pages) This section reviews existing research and establishes the foundation for the study. Organize it into subsections: Race and Representation in Media Discuss how television shapes public understanding of race and identity. Include sources on Black-ish, Dear White People, and other college-centered shows. Biracial Identity Theory Summarize key ideas from scholars such as W.E.B. Du Bois (double consciousness), Root (1990), and Rockquemore & Brunsma (2002). Discuss themes like identity fluidity, belonging, and cultural hybridity. Higher Education and Identity Development Include literature on how college serves as a developmental site for identity formation. Link to socialization, community, and belonging among minority students. Media Portrayals of Higher Education Review how TV and film depict college as a space for negotiation of values, culture, and identity. Gap in Research Conclude by stating that little scholarship explores biracial identity in media depictions of college, which is what this study addresses. 5. Theoretical Framework (3–4 pages) Explain the key theories guiding the analysis: Intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991): How overlapping systems of race, gender, and class shape identity. Identity Negotiation Theory (Ting-Toomey, 1993): How people define and balance their identities in intercultural contexts. Cultural Studies / Representation Theory (Stuart Hall, 1997): How media constructs and communicates identity meanings. Clearly connect each theory to the study’s focus: how Grown-ish constructs biracial identity through college narratives and social interactions. 6. Methodology (3–4 pages) ✅ Already completed — include the version provided. Make sure it flows naturally after the theoretical framework and before the Findings section. Briefly introduce it at the start of the section to maintain coherence with the paper. 7. Findings / Results (9–10 pages) This is the core section of the paper — about 40% of the total length. Present five themes that emerged from the analysis. Each theme should have: A clear subheading (e.g., Theme 1: The College Space as a Site of Biracial Belonging). Description of the theme in 1–2 paragraphs. Scene examples and dialogue excerpts from Grown-ish that illustrate the theme. Interpretation using the theoretical framework. Connection back to the research question. Suggested Themes: The College Space as a Site of Biracial Belonging College as a microcosm for racial and cultural negotiation. The Politics of Visibility and Racial Performativity Zoey’s and other characters’ experiences of being “read” racially by peers and professors. Friendship, Romance, and Code-Switching Interpersonal relationships as identity negotiation sites. Academic Spaces and Institutional Whiteness Classroom and administrative structures as racialized spaces. Resisting and Redefining Identity Through Education Education as empowerment and self-definition for biracial characters. Each theme section should be about 2 pages long and include critical analysis, not summary. 8. Discussion (3–4 pages) Interpret the findings in the context of your literature and theories. Explain what the findings reveal about biracial identity negotiation in higher education contexts. Connect results to intersectionality, identity negotiation, and cultural studies theory. Discuss whether Grown-ish reinforces or challenges dominant narratives about race and college life. Reflect on broader cultural implications: What does this say about race, media, and education in society today? 9. Conclusion (2 pages) Summarize the major insights from the study. Restate the research question and answer it based on the themes. Emphasize how Grown-ish contributes to or complicates representations of biracial identity in popular culture. Note any limitations (e.g., only one TV show, cultural specificity, interpretive bias). Suggest future research, such as comparing Grown-ish to other college-based or biracial-centered series (Dear White People, All American, etc.). 10. References (2–3 pages) Use APA 7th edition formatting. Include at least 20–25 scholarly sources: Peer-reviewed journal articles Books on identity, intersectionality, and media studies Theoretical texts (Crenshaw, Hall, Ting-Toomey, Root, Du Bois) 11. Appendices (optional, 1–2 pages) Include: A list of Grown-ish episodes analyzed. A sample coding chart or theme table (if available). A brief reflexive statement (how researcher identity may influence interpretation). ✅ Final Notes Ensure smooth transitions between all sections. Avoid plot summary — focus on interpretation, patterns, and meaning. Integrate theory directly into analysis (especially in the Findings and Discussion). Proofread for coherence, academic tone, and citation accuracy. The completed paper should be 25–30 pages total, including all sections.