Crim Papers

Due: In stages (Units 1-7), with final completed project due Thursday of Unit 8 The final paper will be a formal research paper, therefore, it should meet all the APA

format requirements including title page, running head, abstract, citations, and works

cited formalities as well as all other APA criteria. Your culminating paper should contain

all the elements of a research paper in APA format including Title Page, Body of the

Paper, and Reference page. Through your analysis of the subject you should

demonstrate your understanding of the concepts studied throughout the term by

incorporating facts about the juvenile justice system and the societal impact of the topic

you have chosen for your final paper.

Topic for Final Project

The topic for your final paper should be chosen and approved by your instructor during

Unit 1. Your topic should be an issue in juvenile justice that interests you. A good place

to start looking for topics is the index of your textbook.

Technical Requirements of the Final Projects

Project Length and Due Date - The body of the paper must be at least six (6) pages,

double spaced, exclusive of the title page, abstract, and references. The title page must

include the following information: paper title, name of student, course number and title,

and date. The paper must be submitted in APA Style which means the margins are set

at 1” on all sides of the page and that you use Times New Roman 12 point font. Citation

format, running heads, works cited, and all other technical aspects of APA Style are

factored into grade.

The final project will be due on Thursday of Unit 8.

Grading

The papers will be graded on accuracy of content, quality of writing, originality of

thought, completeness, grammar, formatting, technical accuracy, and compliance with

APA style. You will also be assessed for adherence to the requirements of the project

as listed above. Failure to meet any of the requirements will result in a loss of points.

Please use reliable sources for your paper, and be sure to write the paper in your own

words. Wikipedia is not a valid academic resource. Where citations are made, you

should follow the APA Style Manual for both internal citations and footnotes. The

abstract does not count towards the page count for the body of the paper. Make sure

Final Course Project

CRJ 201 – Juvenile Justice

you are accurately paraphrasing your sources and not just copying blocks of text from

the Internet. Simply putting a citation at the end of a paragraph you have copied is not

sufficient. If you do not understand how to quote, paraphrase and cite sources, you

should plan on having the writing center evaluate your work prior to submitting it for

grading. Also, please include your sources at the end of the paper on a Works Cited

page as required by APA Format.

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 1: Final Project Proposal submitted (1-2 points).

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 2: Title page for Final Project with running header and 1 page

introduction (1-2 points).

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 3: Bibliography for Final Project with 3 properly cited sources,

each with a brief summary. (1-2 points)

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 4: Bibliography for Final Project with 3 more properly cited

sources, each with a brief summary. (1-2 points)

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 5: Bibliography for Final Project with 2 more properly cited

sources, each with a brief summary. (1-2 points)

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 6: Bibliography for Final Project with 2 more properly cited

sources, each with a brief summary. (1-2 points)

Midnight, Sunday of Unit 7: Abstract for Final Project (1-2 points).

Midnight, Thursday of Unit 8: Final Project – The completed final project is due (see

next page for grading criteria for grading of content) – the body of the paper should

include at least six (6) pages, double spaced, exclusive of the title page, abstract, and

references (86 points).

TOTAL: 100 points

Refer to the grading rubric on the next page. Be sure to read the grading criteria by which your paper will be evaluated before

you write the paper and again after you write your paper.

Grading Rubric for Final Paper

CRITERIA Deficient

Proficient to Development

Needed

Exemplary to Proficient

Points Earned (X Pts.)

0-1 points 2-3 points 4-5 points

1. Format/Layout Presentation of the text Structuring of text. Follows requirements of length, font and style

Follows poorly the requirements related to format and layout.

Follows, for the most part, all the requirements related to format and layout. Some requirements are not followed.

Closely follows all the requirements related to format and layout.

0-1 points 2-3 points 4-5 points

2 APA styles – technical accuracy (Complete APA Style Guideline is located under Course Information)

Errors in APA style detract substantially from the paper. Word choice is informal in tone. Writing is choppy, with awkward or unclear passages.

Rare errors in APA style that do not detract from the paper. Scholarly style. Writing has minimal awkward of unclear passages.

No errors in APA style. Scholarly style. Writing is flowing and easy to follow

0-1 points 2-3 points 4-5 points

3 Spelling and grammar

Grammatical errors or spelling & punctuation substantially detract from the paper.

Very few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors interfere with reading the paper.

The paper is free of grammatical errors and spelling & punctuation.

0-8 points 9-19 points 20-24 points

4 Accuracy of content/information All elements of the topics are addressed. The information is technically sound.

The essay is not objective and addresses poorly the issues referred in the proposed topic. The provided

The essay is objective and for the most part addresses with an in depth analysis most of the issues

The essay is objective and addresses with an in depth analysis all the issues referred in the proposed

Information based on careful research. Coherence of information.

information is not necessary or not sufficient to discuss these issues.

referred in the proposed topic. The provided information is, for the most part, necessary and sufficient to discuss these issues.

topic. The provided information is necessary and sufficient to discuss these issues.

0-8 points 9-19 points 20-24 points

5 Quality of writing The essay is not well written, and contains many spelling errors, and/or grammar errors and/or use of English errors. The essay is badly organized, lacks clarity and/or does not present ideas in a coherent way.

The essay is well written for the most part, without spelling, grammar or use of English errors. The essay is for the most part well organized, clear and presents ideas in a coherent way.

The essay is well written from start to finish, without spelling, grammar or use of English errors. The essay is well organized, clear and presents ideas in a coherent way.

0-8 points 9-20 points 21-23 points

6 Originality of thought

Did not demonstrate originality of thoughts and ideas in writing.

Some original ideas and thoughts conveyed in writing.

Original ideas and thoughts conveyed in writing.

Total points /86