Diversion Programs for High Risk Offenders

Your term paper assignment is intended to develop the following skills

Researching a topic

Reading comprehension and interpretation.

Weighing the evidence and thinking critically

How to argue and write persuasively

The purpose of this assignment is to assist you in developing your writing skills as well as provide you with an opportunity to gain in depth knowledge on an area of interest.

On doing the research

The quality of your paper will be dependent on the thoroughness of your work in the library and on computer data bases. We have a number of good journals in our library but through search engines like ProQuest. Government reports can be useful, especially Statistics Canada data, or formal technical reports from organizations such as the federal Solicitor General, Corrections Canada, or Justice Canada.

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On integrating the research into your paper

Once you have done your research, you need to write your paper. First, you will introduce your topic

and explain the purpose of your paper. You should identify the issue of interest, and be specific. Then

you need to present your research. You will summarize the ideas and evidence gleaned from your

research, preferably giving me some contrasting view points. You will show that you have weighed the

evidence critically, and provide me with some of your opinions and ideas. While you can do this as you

write, generally it is more effective at the end of your paper. Your conclusion should also summarize the

main points of your paper.

On writing the paper

Term papers must be typed, with a proper title page, have page numbers and show that a careful proofreading and spell check were conducted. I expect you to use proper grammar, sentence and paragraph construction, proper citations and to be diligent in preparing the bibliography. I expect an introduction, review of the research, and a conclusion.

Length – 6-8 pages, double spaced. Not including title page or bibliography.

References: minimum 5 sources. Use APA. If you are unfamiliar with this Google it, there are many websites devoted to explaining it.

Marking of papers will be based on the following criteria

• Clear Introduction of your Topic
• Body of Research and the overall completeness of the material presented in your paper
• Discussion of Alternative viewpoints
• Conclusion
• Overall quality of writing in your paper
• Proper use of APA style referencing