AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal Law Research Paper Instructions What is a research paper? A research paper is one in which you have identified a topic, have researched what others have written about that topic, and (at the end of your paper) have taken a position of your own about elements of the topic. All research papers should have a thesis (more on this later), which becomes the starting point for your research. You support your thesis by presenting referenced information from reliable sources, such as books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, on-line databases, academic/scholarly web sites, etc. Important Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable research source. Ever. All referenced material, whether paraphrased (put in your own words) or quoted, must be cited properly in MLA format. All research papers must contain proper MLA in-text citation as well as a Works Cited page. This is a standard college-level writing requirement. There are writing resources available to you in our “Research Paper Instructions and Resources” Module. For additional help on writing your research papers, please visit the SBCC Writing Center located in the Cartwright Learning Resources Center. This is the building on the West Campus closest to the footbridge. Walk into the building and enter the CLRC to the left. The library is to the right. Hours: Mon. – Thur.: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Fri.: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. You can also access a lot of helpful materials by going to their website at: http://www.sbcc.edu/clrc/writing_center/index.php AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal Law Research Paper TOPIC Instructions Choose a topic that interests and challenges you. Your attitude towards the topic often determines the amount of effort and enthusiasm you put into your research. If you are uncertain as to what is expected of you in completing your research paper assignments, re-read your assignment sheets carefully or ask me. That’s what I'm here for! Select a subject you can manage. Avoid topics that have only a narrow range of source materials. Your topic is to be an in-depth legal analysis of a law that has been discussed in lectures or in your textbook. Specifically, you will critically analyze the various legal rulings and interpretations surrounding your law. You need to develop a thesis statement based upon your topic. The thesis statement summarizes the main point of your paper and is often phrased as a question that you then answer through your research. The thesis is normally found at the end of the paper's introductory paragraph(s). It is usually a single sentence and acts as a guide to let your audience know the central idea of your research and to know what to expect in the body of your paper. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence. Thesis Statement Example: Ho ...

1. AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal Law
Research Paper Instructions
What is a research paper?
A research paper is one in which you have identified a topic,
have researched what others have written
about that topic, and (at the end of your paper) have taken a
position of your own about elements of the
topic. All research papers should have a thesis (more on this
later), which becomes the starting point for
your research. You support your thesis by presenting referenced
information from reliable sources, such
as books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, on-line databases,
academic/scholarly web sites, etc.
Important Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable research source.
Ever. All referenced material,
whether paraphrased (put in your own words) or quoted, must
be cited properly in MLA format.
All research papers must contain proper MLA in-text citation as
well as a Works Cited page. This
is a standard college-level writing requirement. There are
writing resources available to you in
our “Research Paper Instructions and Resources” Module.

2. For additional help on writing your research papers, please visit
the SBCC Writing Center located
in the Cartwright Learning Resources Center. This is the
building on the West Campus closest to
the footbridge. Walk into the building and enter the CLRC to
the left. The library is to the right.
Hours: Mon. – Thur.: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Fri.: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
You can also access a lot of helpful materials by going to their
website at:
http://www.sbcc.edu/clrc/writing_center/index.php
AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal Law

3. Research Paper TOPIC Instructions
Choose a topic that interests and challenges you. Your attitude
towards the topic often determines the
amount of effort and enthusiasm you put into your research. If
you are uncertain as to what is expected
of you in completing your research paper assignments, re-read
your assignment sheets carefully or ask
me. That’s what I'm here for! Select a subject you can manage.
Avoid topics that have only a narrow
range of source materials.
Your topic is to be an in-depth legal analysis of a law that has
been discussed in lectures or in your
textbook. Specifically, you will critically analyze the various
legal rulings and interpretations
surrounding your law.
You need to develop a thesis statement based upon your topic.
The thesis statement summarizes the main point of your paper
and is often phrased as a question that
you then answer through your research. The thesis is normally
found at the end of the paper's
introductory paragraph(s). It is usually a single sentence and
acts as a guide to let your audience know
the central idea of your research and to know what to expect in
the body of your paper. Your thesis
statement should be specific—it should cover only what you
will discuss in your paper and should be

4. supported with specific evidence.
Thesis Statement Example:
How has California’s Stalking Law, Penal Code Section 646.9,
been applied since it was created in
1990?
AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal Law
Research Paper
The following assignment is worth a possible 100 points and
MUST BE TURNED IN TO
CANVAS. Your final paper must be at least 1800 words (1800
words is considered
“average” for grading purposes) in length, excluding your
Works Cited page, and
include the following information:
1. Introduction
A. Identify/explain your topic. You should include a thesis
statement. Thesis Statement Example:
How has California’s Stalking Law, Penal Code Section 646.9,
been applied since it was created in
1990?

5. B. Describe your reason for selecting your topic. (What aspects
of the topic do you find interesting:
legal, historical, sociological, psychological, political, etc.)
Also, identify where in the text (page
number) or in which class lecture your topic was discussed.
2. Facts - This will be the bulk of your paper
A. Analyze the creation, application, and current status of your
legal issue.
1.) From a historical legal perspective (when, why and how it
was created), and
2.) From a contemporary legal perspective (how is your legal
issue dealt with today – how
has it evolved from when it was created?).
B. Court Cases: As a law class, you must necessarily focus on a
legal analysis of your topic. As
such: You must include at least four actual cases where this law
has been interpreted, applied,
and adjudicated (trial process ended with a verdict). Example: If
you chose to study Penal Code
section 646.9, you could analyze the cases involving the
conviction of Robert John Bardo (California
v. Bardo) and State v. Cardell.
1.) Clearly identify the official court case name: i.e.,
“California v. Bardo.” It is not
acceptable to just refer to a case you read about in an article,

6. i.e., “The Rebecca
Schaeffer case.”
2.) Describe and explain how your four cases demonstrate how
the law is applied.
C. Conclusion – your thoughts based upon your research.
3. Identify at least four sources (only one textbook) in proper
Works Cited format.
Your final paper will be graded on the depth and rigor of your
research, continuity
of ideas, critical thinking, MLA format, and college-level
writing.
Special Note: Your final paper must contain proper MLA in-
text citation and Works Cited. Any
final paper without MLA format will automatically fail. No
exceptions. There are numerous links
on our Canvas page to assist students who need help with their
writing or MLA format. I am also
willing to proof read reports up to four days before the due date.
Research Paper Grading Rubric – AJ 107: Concepts of Criminal
Law
Criteria

7. Excellent Adequate Unacceptable Points
Format
Followed instructions
exactly. Well over
1800 words (-works
cited), 12 point font,
double-spaced, 1-in.
margins, at least four
sources, proper works
cited included. (17-20
points) [ ]
Generally followed instructions
with some deviations in format
such as barely met word count,
too few sources, or improper
works cited format. (13-16
points) [ ]
Failed to follow
instructions in
significant way,
unacceptably short in
length (less than 1800
words) or no works
cited.
(0-12 points) [ ]

8. Writing
Few to no errors in
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation (less than
two per page). Writing
is clear & coherent.
Smooth flow and
transitions.
References properly
cited as per MLA.
(17-20 points) [ ]
Some errors in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, or citation (less than
three per page). Writing
sometimes confusing but
generally understandable.
(13-16 points) [ ]
Numerous errors in
spelling, grammar,
and/or punctuation (at
least four per page).
Serious errors in MLA
reference citation.
Writing is unclear or
confusing. (0-12
points) [ ]
Content

9. Exceptional use of
discipline terms &
grasp of topic. Clear,
accurate, & thorough
explanation of
concepts and laws.
Arguments precise and
relevant.
(35-40 points) [ ]
Sufficient explanation of
arguments, concepts, law & topic
but somewhat lacking in
development & detail, or includes
some inaccuracies/irrelevancies.
(30-34 points) [ ]
Unacceptable topic for
course.
Inappropriate use of
discipline terms; shows
little grasp of topic.
Serious errors and/or
omissions of major
points or less than four
cases. (0-29 points) [
]
Critical
Thinking

10. Explicit & sustained
analysis beyond
generalities. Attention
to elements of
unbiased reason.
Examples and
supporting detail
impressive.
(17-20 points) [ ]
Some attempt at an analysis of the
material but contains claims or
facts lacking development, details
and examples. Some indication of
biased analysis.
(15-16 points) [ ]
Lacking in analysis
based on objective
research. Strong
evidence of poor
critical thinking skills.
Little use of facts,
examples, &
supporting details.
(0-14 points) [ ]
PLAGIARISED: NO M.L.A. SOURCE CITATION IN TEXT OR
NOT ORIGINAL WORK
Automatic
Fail:
Comments: Points:

11. Grade: