Outline for final paper

Week 3 Outline Fill in the areas of this outline for your assignment this week.

I. Introduction

Please include your entire introduction. Revise one full introduction from your Week 3 Discussion based on

feedback from your peers and instructor.

A. Opening sentence or hook

B. Explanatory sentence about topic/problem

C. Thesis statement Every year, close to a thousand people are killed by the police. In 2020, in fact, 984 people died at the hands of people

who were supposed to serve and protect (Tate, Jerkins, & Rich, 2021). The problem become even more clear when we

look at racial groups that are more affected. For instance, while African Americans make up only 13% of the

population, the rate that they are killed is double that of white Americans (Tate et al., 2021, para.5). It is true that some

police rightfully kill suspects who endanger officers’ lives, but that is not always the case. Regardless of race, police

violence must be curbed. Some propose more training, and others propose stricter requirements on the police. But the

best option is to rethink the funding that makes social services possible. While some feel that any reduction of the

police budget would endanger society, to create a more peaceful society bring balance to public safety, some funding

should be redirected from the police to public health.

II. Body Paragraph 1 – Supporting Point 1:

A. Topic Sentence: What is the main point or reason of this paragraph? Police are not trained to deal with every problem in society.

B. Source #1: What evidence have you found that supports your point? The article “Police Violence among Adults Diagnosed with Mental Disorders ” detailed examples of police violence

against those with mental health issues.

C. Explain how this evidence supports your point. This article shows how the police are trained to restrain and even shoot to kill, when many times, people with mental

health issues need to be handled more delicately.

Transitional Phrase

The mentally ill are not the only ones that suffer at the hands of the police.

III. Body Paragraph 2 – Supporting Point 2

A. Topic Sentence: What is the main point or reason of this paragraph? Studies have shown that those with drug abuse issues are, instead of being helped, often harmed by their treatment by

the police.

B. Source #2: What evidence have you found that supports your point? The article “Declining Trends in Exposures to Harmful Policing among People who inject drugs in Vancouver,

Canada” shows how, prior to reforms, Vancouver’s police force caused more harm than good among many of the cities

drug abusers.

C. Explain how this evidence supports your point. The example from Vancouver shows that instead of locking up drug abusers, as police are often trained to do,

redirecting funds to hire social workers and establish drug centers will help people to break the c ycle of drugs rather

than just be punished for their disease.

Transitional Phrase

Drug abusers and the mentally disabled have suffered at the hands of an exc essively violent police force, but not to the degree

that African Americans have.

IV. Body Paragraph 3 – Supporting Point 3

A. Topic Sentence: What is the main point or reason of this paragraph? During any average year, police kill twice the proportion of African Americans than the proportion of white

individuals.

B. Source #3: What evidence have you found that supports your point? The Washington Post series entitled “Fatal Force” documents shootings across the nation, which disproportionately

affect people of color.

C. Explain how this evidence supports your point. No one can dispute the statistics presented in this article. And while some may say that perhaps the suspects were

dangerous to the police at disproportionate rates, this article also explores how many of those killed were unarmed.

Transitional Phrase Admittedly, America has not always been a safe place. Some are afraid that the US could return to the high levels of crime that

existed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Commented [JW1]: This should be a full introduction, revised from your Week 3 Discussion. Note the revisions in the thesis from last week’s proposal, too.

Commented [JW2]: Every paragraph of every assignment for every class needs a topic sentence.

Commented [JW3]: Use a source. Then, discuss it. Follow the 1+2 rule. For one sentence of quoting, you spend two sentences commenting on the quote and connecting it to your overall point.

Commented [JW4]: See the directions for help with these transitional phrases. Look to do more than just say, “Firstly” or “Secondly.”

Commented [JW5]: Scroll to the next page for the counterpoint and conclusion.

V. Body Paragraph 4 - Opposing Point

Please note in your final draft, you may consider the counterpoint before you consider your supporting

points. In other words, this may become Body Paragraph 2 instead of Body Paragraph 4.

A. What is the first counterargument you will respond to? People are afraid that redirecting funds will make the country less safe.

B. How do you respond to or rebut the counterargument described above In fact, rethinking police budgets and using funds to broaden the public safety net will ensure that those who need help

are being given help. Additionally, not jailing drug addicts and others will free up more money to hire more police and

more social service workers. Examples from the Netherlands, Australia, and elsewhere show this is the case.

VI. Conclusion Paragraph

A. Note the most important point you made in the essay Redirecting funds will actually make the country safer.

B. Reiterate your thesis statement. (Be sure to state your thesis statement differently than you did in

the introduction paragraph.) This more balanced view of public safety and social good will help all: the victims, the police, those that suffer with

conditions, and the average citizen

C. Reflective sentence or call to action. In other words, why is it so important your audience changes

its thinking or actions? What is at stake? But rethinking police funding will do more than just help people. It will create a more fair and balanc ed society, one

where the police and the communities they protect will work together to create a safe r America for all.

VII. References

A. Include two or more APA references . Remember, your final paper will need four (with at least

three from the databases) Jun, H.-J., DeVylder, J. E., & Fedina, L. (2020). Police violence among adults Diagnosed with mental disorders. Health

and Social Work, 45(2), 81–89.

Landsberg, A., Kerr, T., Milloy, M.-J., Dong, H., Nguyen, P., Wood, E., & Hayashi, K. (2016). Declining trends in

exposures to harmful policing among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Journal of the International AIDS

Society, 19(4 Suppl 3), 20729. https://doi.org/10.7448/IAS.19.4.20729

McPhillips, D. (2020, June 3). Deaths from police harm disproportionately affect people of color. U.S. News & World

Report. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2020 -06-03/data-show-deaths-from-police-violence-disproportionately-

affect-people-of-color

Police Responses to Incidents of Police Brutality. (2020). In Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection . Gale.

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/ZIVPHD205907523/OVIC?u=nhc_main&sid=OVIC&xid=3883777e

Tate, J., Jenkins, J. & Rich, S. (2021). Fatal force. The Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/investigations/police -shootings-database/

Commented [JW6]: Follow the “Turn Against” “Turn Back” model. This means you raise an objection and “turn against” your argument. However, “turn back” by challenging that objection. This may be done in two paragraphs, but one will suffice.

Commented [JW7]: Note no transition is generally needed into a conclusion. Avoid words like “In sum” or “In conclusion,” though. Just restating your points will suffice to your reader.

Commented [JW8]: This line is pulled directly from the Week 2 Proposal.

Commented [JW9]: Look at how the author goes for the “so what” here. What is the big picture issue? What is at stake?

Commented [JW10]: Hanging indents may not be possible if you use the fill-in-the-blank outline. That’s fine. However, do format the reference for APA by removing ALL CAPS, removing the unnecessary capitalization, italicizing sources, and so forth.