Assignment:
Create a 5000 word paper due on a criminal justice topic. I'm looking for 2000 - 2500 on how to get criminals to act as contributing members of society while they are incarcerated. I feel they should have to learn a trade while they are in jail and need to work like it's a job, 40 hours a week of community service type work. When I hear some people think jail is like "camp" it is infuriating. It's like a cabin where there is a social area where they get to hang out all day and watch TV while getting 3 meals a day. Jail shouldn't be a place where people are scared for their safety, but it shouldn't be a cake walk either. I think with learning a trade and good behavior, some kind of work placement would be good to have as well.
Your objective in writing this assignment is to define an issue clearly and to formulate and clarify your position on that issue by reacting to a controversial statement.
Completing this assignment requires accomplishing the below six tasks:
- Select a suitable reaction statement. Your first task is to find or write a statement to which to react. Reaction statements are provocative declarations. They are controversial assertions that beg for either a negative or positive response. Where do you find good reaction statements? A good way is to think about subjects that interest you. When you read about something in this class that sparks a reaction because you either agree or disagree with it, you know that you are on the right track.
- Explain your selection. After you have written your reaction statement, write a paragraph that explains why it is important to you. Be as specific as possible and provide three reasons for choosing this topic. Writing "I like it" doesn't tell the reader anything useful.
- Clearly define the issue addressed in your reaction statement. What is the most important issue addressed in your statement? Perhaps some aspects of the statement are more important? As you define the issue addressed in your statement, you provide yourself with some clarification of the statement that will help you state your position.
- Clearly state your position on the issue. The reader of your position should have no doubt about where you stand on the issue you select.
- Defend your position. You should present several arguments to support your stand on the issue. When evaluating your paper, I will consider the extent to which you:
identified the most important arguments needed to support your position;
provided facts and information; and
presented your case accurately, coherently, logically, consistently, and clearly.
- Conclude concisely. Your conclusion should sum up your argument clearly, persuasively, and concisely.