The document provides instructions for writing a final research paper on the topic of disparities in minority populations in American prisons. Students are instructed to research whether this disparity is due to higher crime rates among minorities or biases in the judicial system. The paper must be 8-10 pages long following APA style guidelines, include 5 scholarly sources, and address all components of the assigned rubric.

1. Writing prompt
American prisons have a disparate number of minority inmates
in their populations. Is this
trend due to a higher rate of minority crimes or the manner in
which the judicial system
operates? Research the possible answers, and defend a single
cause of this disparity.
Before you submit the Final Research Paper, make sure that you
have:
Reviewed the
Research Paper Guidelines
to ensure your paper addresses all required components and
develops a clear position in response to one of the writing
prompts provided.
Incorporated a minimum of five scholarly sources.
Incorporated feedback or suggestions into your revisions.
Proofread your final draft for errors in grammar, mechanics, and
style.
Written a paper that is approximately 10 pages in length,
including a title page, a reference page, and eight pages (2000
to 2500 words) of text.
Format the paper according to APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center
.
Your Final Research Paper will be assessed on the following
components:
Structure
Development
Style
Grammar
APA Formatting
Resources
Writing the Final Research Paper
The Final Research Paper:

2. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and
formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford
Writing Center.
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct
thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
Must use at least five scholarly sources from the Ashford
University Library.
Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to
APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Please follow the grading Rubric
Total Possible Score
: 30.00
Structure
Total: 7.50
Distinguished - Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling
idea that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed
through a well-conceived paragraph structure. Each paragraph
contains a topic sentence that introduces the subject being
explored and advances the thesis. A concluding paragraph refers
back to the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the
paper, and gives final direction to the reader.
Proficient - Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling idea
that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through
a paragraph structure, although the overall structure needs focus

3. or clarity. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that
introduces the subject being explored and advances the thesis;
some detail is lacking. A concluding paragraph refers back to
the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the paper, and
gives final direction to the reader.
Basic - Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling idea;
however, it either does not appear in the introduction or it lacks
sufficient focus. The thesis is developed through a basic
paragraph structure, although not all paragraphs contain a topic
sentence that introduces the subject being explored and/or
advances the thesis. The concluding paragraph does not refer
back to the paper’s thesis, does not adequately summarize the
main points, or does not give final direction to the reader.
Below Expectations - Research Paper is centered on a topic or
theme, but it lacks a thesis or controlling idea that focuses the
paper. The topic or theme is minimally developed through a
paragraph structure; topic sentences are absent, and some
paragraphs do not advance the topic. The concluding paragraph
is absent, or it does not refer back to the paper’s thesis,
summarize the main points, and/or give final direction to the
reader.
Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper structure is
either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components
described in the instructions.
Development
Total: 7.50
Distinguished - Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea
develops in the body of the paper through an appropriate
sequence of ideas and through the use of interesting examples
and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which
are drawn from scholarly sources and relate clearly to the main
idea. Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.
Proficient - Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea is
developed in the body of the paper through an appropriate

4. sequence of ideas, and through the use of examples and
evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which are
drawn from scholarly sources and mostly relate to the main
idea. Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.
Basic - Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea is apparent
in the body of the paper, although the sequence of ideas lacks
logic or focus. Paper includes some examples and evidence in
the form of quotes and/or paraphrases drawn from scholarly
sources. Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.
Below Expectations - Research Paper’s thesis or controlling
idea is minimally developed in the body of the paper; the
sequence of ideas lacks logic and focus. Paragraphs are not
adequately supported by examples and evidence and/or the
paper does not meet the minimum length requirement.
Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper development
is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components
described in the instructions.
Style
Total: 6.00
Distinguished - Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal
research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate
to audience and purpose, illustrating careful attention to word
choice and sentence construction.
Proficient - Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal
research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate
to audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice
and sentence construction are present.
Basic - Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal research
writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to
audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice and
sentence construction are present.
Below Expectations - Research Paper addresses a subject that
warrants formal research writing techniques, but the content is
not concise and contains language inappropriate to audience

5. and/or purpose. Various errors in word choice and sentence
construction are present.
Non-Performance - An appropriate research paper style is either
nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in
the instructions.
Grammar
Total: 3.00
Distinguished - Research Paper uses the proper conventions of
the English language, including correct grammar, punctuation,
and sentence structure. Minor mechanical errors may be present,
but they do not detract from the development of the content.
Proficient - Research Paper uses the proper conventions of the
English language. Mechanical errors exist, but they do not
detract from the development of the content.
Basic - Research Paper uses the proper conventions of the
English language most of the time. Some mechanical errors
detract from the development of the content.
Below Expectations - Research Paper does not utilize many of
the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical
errors detract from the development of the content.
Non-Performance - An appropriate use of grammar is either
nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in
the instructions.
Resource Requirement
Total: 4.50
Distinguished - Expertly incorporates the required number of
scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support
ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited
correctly within the body of the assignment.
Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to
support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and
cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

6. Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support
ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the
reference page are used within the body of the assignment.
Citations may not be formatted correctly.
Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that
provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be
scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used
within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted
correctly.
Non-Performance - The resources are either nonexistent or the
assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.
APA Formatting
Total: 1.50
Distinguished - Research Paper uses accurate APA formatting
consistently throughout the paper. Research Paper contains a
title page and reference page in APA format.
Proficient - Research Paper uses APA formatting throughout the
paper but contains minor errors. Research Paper contains a title
page and reference page in APA format.
Basic - Research Paper uses some APA formatting, but does not
meet all APA requirements. Research Paper contains a title page
and reference page.
Below Expectations - Research Paper minimally uses APA
formatting and includes numerous errors that may distract from
the essay’s content. Research Paper may not contain a title page
and/or reference page.
Non-Performance - Use of APA formatting is either nonexistent
or the assignment lacks the components described in the
instructions.