The capstone paper requires students to analyze a specific problem or policy from a provided book within the criminal justice system, covering its origins, literature review, criminological theory, case law, personal position, and alternative viewpoints, culminating in a conclusion and references in APA format. Students must adhere to guidelines for structure and clarity while considering grammatical standards and avoiding plagiarism. The writing assignments are to be submitted by specified deadlines, with penalties for late submissions, and a focus on presenting a clear argumentative thesis supported by primary sources.

1. Capstone Paper
Introduction
Students will select a specific problem or policy discussed in
the Alexander book and discuss the ramifications of the
problem/policy within the criminal justice system. The paper
should take the form of a problem/policy analysis and should
indicate whether the problem is theoretical or practical
(applied). Furthermore, students should include, at minimum,
answers to the problem including, but not limited to, who, what,
when, where, why, and how the problem originated within the
criminal justice system as well as how it continues to be a
problem.
1-2 pages
Literature Review
Students are expected to read and review historical and current
research on their specific problem; this includes prior studies on
the problem selected.
3-4 pages
Criminological Theory
Students should review criminological theory and ascertain how
the problem/policy is rooted in a particular theory. Students
should consult the text from Nature and Causes of
Crime/Criminological Theory as a starting place.
1-2 pages
Cases
Students should review case law to determine the extent to

2. which the problem/policy has been reviewed by the courts and
provide a thorough background of the case(s) and the judicial
opinion. If the problem/policy has not yet been reviewed by the
courts, students should research case precedents that are closely
aligned to the problem.
1-2 pages
Position
Students must clearly articulate their opinion on the
problem/policy and how it should be addressed. A plan of action
to support your position is expected.
1-2 pages
Alternative Positions
Provide a critique of logical alternatives to dealing with the
problem.
1-2 pages
Critical Reflection
Using critical thinking and reflection skills, explain how the
problem/policy, your position (and alternatives) affect police,
courts, and corrections.
1-2 pages
Conclusion
Finally, provide a final description of the problem, theory,
literature review, position and alternative positions.
1-2 pages
References
A detailed References section including a minimum of 15
resources is required. Resources may include professional trade
journals, books, peer reviewed publications, and government
publications. Wikipedia is not permitted. Internet resources will
be limited to EBSCO, NCJRS, BJA, BJS, DOJ, OJJDP, and
FirstGov. APA format must be used. Papers with incorrect APA
format will be returned with no grade for revision.

3. His 330
Fall 2013
Writing Assignments—Tupelo
General Guidelines
Writing assignments should be doubled spaced and use a
standard 12 point font. Remember to always put your name on
your work.
Writing assignments should be submitted via SafeAssign on
Blackboard before class on the date listed below. One letter
grade will be deducted for each day the paper is late. Papers
more than four days late will not be graded and given a zero. It
is your responsibility to insure that papers are properly
submitted to Blackboard on time. If in doubt, email a copy to
the instructor or bring a hard copy to class.
The quality of the writing will constitute a significant portion of
your grade. Writing assignments should be carefully edited and
proofread to eliminate grammatical and typographical mistakes.
Refer to the guidelines for good writing listed below.
Numerous errors will result in a lower a grade.
While consulting with your colleagues is acceptable, writing
assignments are to be written individually. Papers that are
exceptionally similar will receive a failing grade.
To receive credit, assignments must be completed on the date
specified and over the correct reading. For instance, do not
submit the assignment over chapter three on the day chapter six
is due.
The writing assignments should be argumentative and not
reviews of the reading. Argumentative papers will have a
clearly defined thesis and support the thesis with examples from
the primary sources in the reading. Writing assignments that

4. are reviews of the reading will receive a lower grade.
Papers that fail to meet the required length will receive a grade
no higher than a ‘D’.
Citations
The following provides an example for the appropriate way to
cite for these assignments:
Regarding his Indian policy, De Perier believed that he had
“profited by the mistakes” his predecessors made. (27) He also
feared that Indians planned to massacre all Frenchmen in the
colony.
In other words, if you quote directly from the readings, a page
number is needed. Failure to cite properly will result in a lower
grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is stealing somebody else’s thoughts, ideas, and
words and claiming them for your own. Like stealing,
plagiarism is a serious offense that could lead to expulsion. Be
forewarned that all papers will be vetted by anti-plagiarism
software. If you cheat, you will get caught.
Guidelines for Good Writing
Since writing constitutes a significant portion of your grade,
refer to these guidelines. Papers that do not adhere to these
guidelines will receive a lower grade.
1. Use proper grammar, punctuation and a formal tone. Avoid
slang or other informal phrases. If you heard a phrase on
SportsCenter, it is slang and should not be used.
2. Do not use first person. For example do not write, “I think

5. the book was great.” Instead, write “the book was great.”
3. Make sure that your paragraphs are between 4-8 sentences
long.
4. Do not use contractions. For example, write do not instead of
don’t; cannot instead of can’t; will not instead of won’t; etc.
5. Either Underline or Italicize a book’s title. Same for court
cases.
6. Once you have used a person’s first and last name, you only
refer to them by their last name throughout the rest of the paper.
Do not repeatedly use titles like Mr. or Mrs. or Dr. or Judge.
7. Place punctuation inside quotation marks.
8. Spell numbers that are two words or less. For example,
twenty-eight, sixty-three, twentieth century are spelled out.
Numbers like 383, 1935 remain numerical
9. Eliminate unnecessary words. For example, “Caldwell shows
the importance of race.” This is far better than “Caldwell is able
to show the importance of race.”
10. Diversify your verb choice and vocabulary. Instead of
“Caldwell shows” try using “Caldwell demonstrates” or
“Caldwell discusses” or “Caldwell highlights” or “Caldwell
chronicles.” Use the synonyms feature on Microsoft Word by
right clicking or visit theseraus.com!
11. Do not misuse words. If you are uncertain of the meaning
of word—look it up. Dictionary.com is a wonderful website.
Use it!
12. Organize your paper in a clear, logical manner.

6. Writing Assignments:
1. Bond, Chapter 3 “Antebellum White Society”
Due Date: Before class on Sept. 10th
After read chapter three of Mississippi: A Documentary
History, your assignment is to write a 500-750 word essay that
discusses the hardships whites in antebellum Mississippi faced.
Be sure to include specific examples from the primary sources
to support your position.
2. Bond, Chapter 5 “The Secession Crisis”
Due Date: Before class on Sept. 24th
After reading chapter five of Mississippi: A Documentary
History, your assignment is to write a 500-750 word essay that
discusses and explains why Mississippi seceded from the United
States. Include specific examples from the primary sources to
support your position.
3. Bond, Chapter 7 “Free Labor and Violence in
Reconstruction”
Due Date: Before Class on Oct. 8th
After reading chapter seven of Mississippi: A Documentary
History, your assignment is to write a 500-750 word essay that
illustrates how Democrats employed violence and fraud to
overthrow Republican governments during Reconstruction. Be
sure to include specific examples from the primary sources to
support your position.
4. Bond, Chapter 10“The Jim Crow World”
Due Date: Before Class on Oct. 15th
After reading chapter ten of Mississippi: A Documentary
History, your assignment is to write a 500-750 word essay that
discusses the hardships and horrors African Americans endured

7. under segregation. Include specific examples from the primary
sources to support your position.
Running head:MISSISSIPPI SECESSION
1
Mississippi Secession
Student Name: Ralph Graham
Institution Affiliation: Ole Miss
Course: His 330 The History of Mississippi Sec 2
Date: September 23, 2013
Historians still debate the reasons which made Mississippi, as
well as, her sister southern states opt to secede from the United
States. State’s rights, along with high tariffs are some of the
issues which are considered to be the main reasons which made
Mississippi to secede from U.S but the ultimate reason which
made the state to secede from the union was the defense of the
slavery institution
. A Declaration from the state convention held on January 1861
to discuss the issue of secession states that “Our position is
basically identified with the slavery institution-which is the
world’ greatest material interest” (McDowell & McDowell,
2007). –paragraphs should be 4-8 sentences long. Also, the
quote you use is found in the reading. Lastly, the thesis
statement (the one I highlighted above) should be the last
sentence of your introduction.
The 1850 compromise angered the Mississippians.

8. Mississippians had strongly supported the American-Mexican
war because they hoped to gain new slave territory, but the
compromise would exclude them from reaping benefits from
their concerted efforts. In addition, the Mississippians viewed
the entry of California, New Mexico along with Utah as free
states as a threat to the significant balance within free and
slaves states.—Examples from the documents in the reading are
needed.
The 1854 Kansa-Nebraska Act was part of the territorial issues
which pushed Mississippi towards secession. The
aforementioned Act considered the solution to the ambiguous
slavery question to be ‘popular sovereignty’. In respect to the
“popular sovereignty” the individuals of the territories, prior to
making an application for statehood, would make the decision to
allow or not allow slavery.
The said solution made the abolitionist invade the area. The said
Act did not impress the Mississippians because they believed
that there was no way the Congress would prevent the
introduction of slavery within the various territories. The
Mississippians were greatly angered by Senator Stephen
Douglas who was the author of the bill which led to the
implementation of the Kansa-Nebraska Act (Bond, 2003). –
page numbers are needed for citations. In addition, the paper
needs to focus exclusively on the primary source documents
(the non-italicized stuff)
The other event which is considered to have compelled
Mississippi to opt for seceding from U.S was the 1859 John
Brown’s Raid. Brown who was an abolitionist ho was violent,
organized a raid in the Harper’s Ferry federal arsenal in the
hope of inciting and arming a slave uprising within the South.
However, the raid failed and at last Brown was captured, tried,
as well as, hung due to his crimes. Brown’s raid increased the
slave revolts fears. The Mississippi parliament implemented
several resolutions advising the other sates within the south to
oppose antislavery aggression.

9. Finally, the November 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln as the
president actually pushed almost all the advocates of secession
to the edge. This is due to the fact that the Lincoln’s Republican
Party had made a pledge to fully restrict slavery (Bond, 2003).
In that regard, the Mississippians considered the Lincoln’s
election as a sure sign that slavery abolishment was imminent.
In general, it can be concluded that Mississippi’s secessionist’s
journey was similar to that of numerous other southern states.
Secessionist sentiment not only ebbed but also flowed until
events basically got out of control. Passion, pride in addition to
ego outclassed logic, as well as, rationality as Mississippians
eventually felt that the only way they would preserve slavery
along with their preferred way of life was through secession.
While this paper does a nice job highlighting the national
context for secession, it does not examine the documents in the
reading. This is purpose of the assignment. In addition,
additional editing is needed to improve the quality of the
writing. Work on eliminating unnecessary words. Note my
corrections above for tips on how this can be done.
Grade: D
References
Bond, B. G. (2003). Mississippi: A documentary history.
Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
McDowell, G. D., & McDowell, R. A. (2007). Mississippi
Secrets: Facts, legends, and folklore. Lincoln, Neb.: iUniverse.
�This sentence is way too long and verbose. A better one is:
“Although states’ rights and high tariffs contributed to

10. secession, protecting slavery was the ultimate reason.”
Same thing in far fewer words.
Name: Title:
CAPSTONE
PAPER GRADING RUBRIC (100 POINTS)
FAILING UNACCEPTABLE ACCEPTABLE GOOD
EXCEPTIONAL POINTS
1-F 2- D 3-C 4-B 5-A
Introduction Problem selected is not
well-defined– too narrow or
too broad
Problem area is vague or
confusing
Problem area is clearly
identified

11. Identified problem is
unique; exceeds minimum
level
Identified problem is complex;
original and multi-dimensional
Organization Fails to arrange paper
accordingly and does not
follow format
Unclear, confusing- paper
does not provide direction
or follow suggested
format
Follows format and
provides description of
problem
Follows format, provides
description of problem,
presents information in an

12. understandable easy to
follow format
Organizational skills are excellent –
follows format, good chronology of
problem, superior information
presentation and documentation
within paper
Literature
Review
Fails to provide pertinent
information on problem
Literature review defines
problem yet lacks
supportive information on
problem
Literature review provides
basic background and

13. description of problem
Literature review provides
good depth and breadth
description of problem
Literature review provides excellent
breadth and depth of explanation of
problem.
Theory Fails to apply and explain
the problem
Improper theory
selection/application –
lacks depth
Acceptable standard of
theory application
Theory selection based
upon sound reasoning -
Theory application goes
beyond minimum - good

14. Selection of theory shows excellent
ability to apply principles - Theory
application demonstrates depth and
originality
Position Fails to support position in
any manner through the use
of credible research and
uses inappropriate court
case.
Lacks supportive research
– personal opinions
interjected in paper along
with research results and
an unlinked court case.
Position meets acceptable
level of competence- uses
research to support

15. position and appropriate
court case.
Position is supported by
good research materials,
extremely relevant court
case and student
explanation of materials.
Position has excellent depth and
quality - uses outstanding reasoning
and informs beyond research and
provides in depth explanation of
relevancy of court case.
Alternative
Positions
Alternative viewpoints are
non-existent or fail to
explain problem
Alternative viewpoints are

16. unclear or lack acceptable
application
Alternative viewpoints are
acceptable--clearly
explains other
perspectives
Alternative viewpoints are
carefully developed based
on research and
considerate thought
process
Multiple alternative viewpoints are
offered. Viewpoints are carefully
developed based on research, critical
thinking and reflective thought
process.
Critical

17. Reflection
Ffail to explain overall
content of paper and no
reflection is offered.
Critical reflection and
conclusions are unclear –
lack basis in reasoning and
fail to illuminate key
concepts of paper, while
reflection is minimal.
Acceptable - detailed
conclusions reached based
upon research, reasoning
and critical thinking
through informed
reflection.
Conclusions based upon
sound research and

18. reasoning while
complementing key facets
of paper through critical
thinking and reflection.
Depth and quality of conclusions
clearly and cogently provide a sound
factual basis for understanding paper
while providing a superior critical
thinking basis for reflection on
problem.
Grammar
Mechanics
Grammar, spelling and
punctuation fails to reflect
quality necessary for degree
seeking BS/BA student-
Student fails
Grammar, spelling and

19. punctuation is poor, 5-7
mistakes
Grammar, spelling and
punctuation acceptable, 3-
4 mistakes
Grammar, spelling and
punctuation good – 1-2
mistakes
Grammar, spelling and punctuation
exceptional – no mistakes
References Fails to follow APA format
in text and References
section
APA format has more than
5 mistakes
APA format has 3-4
Mistakes

20. APA format has 1-2
mistakes
Excellent APA format- mistake free
TOTAL
TOTAL X
5.5
1
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING
POLICY POSITION PAPERS
A Guide for the
Fledgling Analyst

21. Nolan J. Argyle
Valdosta State University
All Rights Reserved
2
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING POLICY
POSITION PAPERS
A policy position paper should structure a problem facing a
decision-maker or decision-makers. It should
present the basic, relevant information known about the
problem, and should conclude with a recommendation. A
position paper should be based upon a clear understanding of
the goals decision-makers want to attain--something
that is easier said than done.
Any policy problem, from a decision to use or not use nuclear
weapons in a regional conflict to the type of
solid waste disposal plan to adopt in Hahira, Ga. may be
addresses in a policy position paper. The nature of the
problem to be addressed and the needs of the decision maker(s)
should determine the format of the position paper.
Variations of position papers are staff reports, option papers,
etc.; each prepared with the needs of the decision-

22. maker in mind. No matter what the name of the paper, each
should contain certain elements. The basic format of a
position paper is presented below.
Position Paper Format
I. Cover Material
A. Letter of Transmittal
B. Executive Summary
II. Problem History
A. Background of the Problem
B. Current Status of the Problem
C. Importance of the Problem
III. Problem Definition
A. Statement of the Problem
B. Statement of Methodology Used in Analysis
C. Identification of Actors Involved
D. Impact of the Problem
IV. Alternative
Solution
s/Policies
A. Listing of Alternatives Considered
B. Comparison of Alternatives
C. Constraints, Including Political
V. Recommendations

23. A. Description of Policy Recommendation(s)
B. Rationale for Recommendations
C. Plan for Implementation
D. Provisions for Monitoring/Evaluation
VI. End Material
A. References
B. Appendices
Each element of a policy position paper may be evaluated
through a series of questions. The author should
always ask "is it"--is it clear, is it thorough, etc. Some of the
key questions that should be asked for each element
are indicated below.
3

24. Position Paper Checklist
I. Cover Material
A. Letter of Transmittal
Is the letter addressed to all the relevant decision makers?
Does it indicate who is to take action, and
when? Does it list all the attached materials?
B. Executive Summary
Does the executive summary describe all the elements of the
position paper? Does it describe those
elements in a way that will be understood by all it is addressed
to? (Do not assume that everyone knows what an
AWACS is--avoid jargon as much as possible.) Is the summary
concise? Is (are) your recommendation(s) clearly
spelled out?
II. Problem History
A. Background of the Problem
Is the problem adequately explained in terms of where it came

25. from and what led to the problem to place it
in context for the decision maker? Are prior efforts to resolve
the problem listed and evaluated? Is the significance
of the problem pointed out?
B. Current Status of the Problem
This element relies heavily upon the proper completion of
element II A. If that element has been properly
developed, you should now be asking the following types of
questions. Is the current status of the problem clearly
indicated? Have the people currently dealing with the problem-
-and those that should be currently dealing with the
problem--been properly identified?
C. Importance of the Problem
What will happen if the problem is left alone? Why is it
important for policy makers to consider the
problem?
III. Problem Definition
A. Statement of the Problem
Is the problem clearly defined, using relevant data? (For

26. example, if the problem is the inability of a
university to play competitive football because of the number of
players ruled ineligible under Proposition 48, have
you stated the number of players involved?) Are the cultural or
political aspects of the problem included in the
definition?
B. Statement of Methodology Used in Analysis
Are the methodologies used in the analysis clearly identified,
along with the rational for selecting those?
(For example: "Input-output analysis was utilized to account for
the resources that would be required for a given
alternative.")
C. Identification of Actors Involved
Are the major stakeholders involved in the problem clearly
identified, along with their values and
priorities? Are potential players identified, and their possible
impact included in the analysis?

27. 4
D. Impact of the Problem
Is the influence of the problem on current, related policy areas
explained? Are the potential consequences
of the problem developed?
IV. Alternative