Topic: *Post verdict* of Oscar Pistorius. State v. Oscar Pistorius
One 5 page paper. Students will (1) choose a specific (i.e., you will not choose general topics like “murder”) recent event (within the past 6 months) that concerns crime, law, or punishment of any kind. Students will then (2) collect at least 8 media articles covering the case from at least 3 different news newspapers (such as New York Times, Los Angeles Times, etc.); (3) analyze the articles thematically in order to examine the ways in which the “truth” of that case has been constructed through media coverage (i.e., you are not trying to show what “really” happened, but how the event has been presented by the articles); (4) present your analysis in a research paper that includes Introduction, Analysis, and Discussion sections; (5) and integrate at least 2 peer-reviewed, academic sources from outside the class into your Discussion section. The goal of this paper is to present an original argument that critically engages with one of the primary ways in which the American public learns about criminal justice by employing research techniques of qualitative data analysis. You will thus be required to “break down” your data into their essential themes (analysis) and “build” an argument from what you find (synthesis). You must then discuss how what you’ve found relates to larger issues in criminal justice. But, in brief: An “A” paper is one that is framed around an analytically-derived argument (i.e., neither unsupported “opinion” nor simple book report style description) clearly drawn from patterns found in the articles; articulated in a clear thesis paragraph in the Introduction; supported with evidence in the Analysis section; phrased as an analysis of sources (rather than “fact” or “opinion”); and whose logical implications are discussed in the Discussion section (which is also where you will integrate your 2 academic sources). Anything that departs from this will receive lower grades
Paper Title
Introduction
Introduce the basic outlines of the case history. State a clear methodological transition. Then articulate a clear thesis paragraph that includes both a *larger umbrella statement* and supporting themes. Give each theme it’s own sentence for clarity and specificity.
Analysis
Labeled Theme
In this section, you will stay close to your own analysis of your sources, providing evidence for your argument, and organizing this section according to the specific themes you have identified in your thesis. NO OPINION, ONLY ANALYSIS. Name your themes. Best to use a 3 part paragraph structure for clear argumentation: set-up sentence; short, strategic examples; sum-up sentence.
Discussion
Briefly rephrase your overall argument, then state ONE, CLEAR, SPECIFIC implication suggested by your analysis and support it with current academic research. This is NOT an opinion; it is a reasonable position derived from a thorough understanding of current research.
(Cite ALL sources; include a Bibliography; double-space pages; use Times New Roman 12 point font; use 1 inch margins all around; and number all pages.)
