Writing prompt

American prisons have a disparate number of minority inmates in their populations. Is this 

trend due to a higher rate of minority crimes or the manner in which the judicial system 

operates? Research the possible answers, and defend a single cause of this disparity. 

 

Before you submit the Final Research Paper, make sure that you have:

1. Reviewed the Research Paper Guidelines to ensure your paper addresses all required components and develops a clear position in response to one of the writing prompts provided.
2. Incorporated a minimum of five scholarly sources.
3. Incorporated feedback or suggestions into your revisions.
4. Proofread your final draft for errors in grammar, mechanics, and style.
5. Written a paper that is approximately 10 pages in length, including a title page, a reference page, and eight pages (2000 to 2500 words) of text.
6. Format the paper according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Your Final Research Paper will be assessed on the following components:

• Structure
• Development
• Style
• Grammar
• APA Formatting
• Resources
• Writing the Final Research Paper
• The Final Research Paper:
  1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  2. Must include a title page with the following:
     1. Title of paper
     2. Student’s name
     3. Course name and number
     4. Instructor’s name
     5. Date submitted
  3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
  4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
  5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
  6. Must use at least five scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library.
  7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

 

Please follow the grading Rubric

Total Possible Score: 30.00

 

Structure

Total: 7.50

Distinguished – Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling idea that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a well-conceived paragraph structure. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and advances the thesis. A concluding paragraph refers back to the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the paper, and gives final direction to the reader.

Proficient – Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling idea that appears in the introduction. The thesis is developed through a paragraph structure, although the overall structure needs focus or clarity. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and advances the thesis; some detail is lacking. A concluding paragraph refers back to the paper’s thesis, summarizes the main points of the paper, and gives final direction to the reader.

Basic – Research Paper contains a thesis or controlling idea; however, it either does not appear in the introduction or it lacks sufficient focus. The thesis is developed through a basic paragraph structure, although not all paragraphs contain a topic sentence that introduces the subject being explored and/or advances the thesis. The concluding paragraph does not refer back to the paper’s thesis, does not adequately summarize the main points, or does not give final direction to the reader.

Below Expectations – Research Paper is centered on a topic or theme, but it lacks a thesis or controlling idea that focuses the paper. The topic or theme is minimally developed through a paragraph structure; topic sentences are absent, and some paragraphs do not advance the topic. The concluding paragraph is absent, or it does not refer back to the paper’s thesis, summarize the main points, and/or give final direction to the reader.

Non-Performance – An appropriate research paper structure is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

 

Development

Total: 7.50

Distinguished – Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea develops in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas and through the use of interesting examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which are drawn from scholarly sources and relate clearly to the main idea.  Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.

Proficient – Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea is developed in the body of the paper through an appropriate sequence of ideas, and through the use of examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases, which are drawn from scholarly sources and mostly relate to the main idea. Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.

Basic – Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea is apparent in the body of the paper, although the sequence of ideas lacks logic or focus. Paper includes some examples and evidence in the form of quotes and/or paraphrases drawn from scholarly sources. Research Paper is 2000 to 2500 words in length.

Below Expectations – Research Paper’s thesis or controlling idea is minimally developed in the body of the paper; the sequence of ideas lacks logic and focus. Paragraphs are not adequately supported by examples and evidence and/or the paper does not meet the minimum length requirement.

Non-Performance – An appropriate research paper development is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

 

Style

Total: 6.00

Distinguished – Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, illustrating careful attention to word choice and sentence construction.

Proficient – Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Basic – Research Paper utilizes techniques of formal research writing. Content is concise and language is appropriate to audience and purpose, although minor errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Below Expectations – Research Paper addresses a subject that warrants formal research writing techniques, but the content is not concise and contains language inappropriate to audience and/or purpose. Various errors in word choice and sentence construction are present.

Non-Performance – An appropriate research paper style is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

 

Grammar

Total: 3.00

Distinguished – Research Paper uses the proper conventions of the English language, including correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Minor mechanical errors may be present, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Proficient – Research Paper uses the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors exist, but they do not detract from the development of the content.

Basic – Research Paper uses the proper conventions of the English language most of the time. Some mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Below Expectations – Research Paper does not utilize many of the proper conventions of the English language. Mechanical errors detract from the development of the content.

Non-Performance – An appropriate use of grammar is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

 

Resource Requirement

Total: 4.50

Distinguished – Expertly incorporates the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient – Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic – Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations – Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance – The resources are either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.

 

 

APA Formatting

Total: 1.50

Distinguished – Research Paper uses accurate APA formatting consistently throughout the paper. Research Paper contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Proficient – Research Paper uses APA formatting throughout the paper but contains minor errors. Research Paper contains a title page and reference page in APA format.

Basic – Research Paper uses some APA formatting, but does not meet all APA requirements. Research Paper contains a title page and reference page.

Below Expectations – Research Paper minimally uses APA formatting and includes numerous errors that may distract from the essay’s content. Research Paper may not contain a title page and/or reference page.

Non-Performance – Use of APA formatting is either nonexistent or the assignment lacks the components described in the instructions.