Essay Writing Tips for Policing and Society week 5

Essay Writing Tips for 5CJ518 Policing and Society

Introduction

  • The essay is a foundational task for the course, requiring a 2500-word submission by January 14, 2026, at 12pm. Feedback will be provided on February 4, 2026, at 4pm.

  • The instructor reassures students not to panic if they haven't started yet but emphasizes the importance of researching their chosen essay topic thoroughly to support their arguments effectively.

Essay Prompt

  • The essay must respond to the following title: "Drawing on the themes of the module, write an essay that discusses current shortcomings in policing and potential remedies for those shortcomings."

Themes of the Module

  • The themes to consider while writing relate to various aspects of the policing system, including:

    • Police-society relations

    • Police-public interactions

    • Police treatment of minorities and majorities

    • Justice and policing principles

    • Employment within police forces

    • The impact of technology on policing

    • Ethics and accountability in policing

Topic Selection

  • Students are encouraged to examine the list of themes and discuss possible topics in groups.

  • Popular topics might attract more rigorous scrutiny and be graded more competitively.

Primary Goals

Key Elements of the Task

  • The essay should:

    • Focus on an issue addressed in the module.

    • Utilize academic sources for research.

    • Identify specific problems related to policing.

    • Propose potential solutions to these identified problems.

Breakdown of the Essay Assignment

  • Recognition of Issues: Acknowledge that issues exist within policing.

  • Evidence Requirement: Provide evidence for the specific problems related to the focal point of the essay.

  • Literature Review: Engage with academic texts, journal articles, and other scholarly sources to outline shortcomings in policing.

  • Exploring Debates: Discuss existing debates or various approaches presented by previous writers to introduce your perspective.

  • Necessity for Change: Derive conclusions regarding necessary changes that can be at the level of policy, strategy, tactics, or even philosophical considerations.

  • Required Argumentation: Every assertion must be backed by a sound argument.

Rubric for Assessment

Overview of Assessment Criteria

  • Essays are graded according to a rubric with the following classifications:

    • First Class (70-100%): An exceptionally well-researched paper, demonstrating extensive knowledge beyond lecture material.

    • 2.1 (60-69%): Very good research and a clear focus in the introduction alongside a good representation of the subject matter.

    • 2.2 (50-59%): Good essays with some missing materials but generally a well-focused outline of key points.

    • Third Class (40-49%): Satisfactory essays that may lack clarity and focused content.

    • Marginal Fail (35-39%): Includes some relevant information but lacks depth.

    • Fail (0-34%): Essays that are not well-researched, lack adequate focus and do not meet the assignment's requirements.

Commentary Rubric Breakdown

  • Each essay also includes specific criteria involving:

    • Focus on title

    • Evidence of wider reading

    • Organization of argument

    • Application of knowledge

    • Conclusion quality

    • Formatting and presentation adherence.

Areas of Focus

Purpose of Writing

  • Students must convey their response to the question, showcasing their reasoning backed by thorough research. It is essential to:

    • Build a coherent argument based on literature reviews.

    • Clearly communicate this argument, highlighting relevant academic literature.

Research and Argumentation

  • Consider how to employ gathered sources effectively. Students are advised to:

    • Organize their readings and note-taking to align with addressing the essay question.

    • Draft a plan that serves as a roadmap toward their recommendations, refining ideas after thorough readings.

    • Maintain a balanced view, acknowledge opposing viewpoints, and include strengths of different approaches.

    • Exhibit an understanding of the topic by utilizing knowledge in the argumentation process.

Writing Structure

  • Essays should utilize the PEE method (Point, Evidence, Explain) or the PEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) for structured paragraphs.

Planning Considerations

  • Reverse planning is recommended. After drafting, assess each paragraph's point and its logical sequence in building the overall argument. Identify potential gaps and rearrange where necessary for coherence.

AI in Academic Work

  • The university is developing guidelines for using AI in coursework. Specific mention includes:

    • AI use must be declared.

    • Acceptable usage includes:

    • Defining terms that are unclear.

    • Creating essay plans.

    • Generating ideas for starting essays.

  • Caution is advised with generative AI, as it can produce mediocre results and fabricate information, making thorough reading essential.

Citing Generative AI

  • Follow Harvard style for citations, considering both personal prompts and content generated through external prompts.

Final Thoughts

Writing Tips

  • Apostrophe Usage: Knowledge of apostrophes is crucial.

  • Depth vs. Breadth: Focus on fewer examples with more detail.

  • Neutrality vs. Objectivity: Understand the difference; neutrality doesn’t equate to objectivity.

  • Relevant Reading: Broader reading enhances the essay quality.

Useful Resources

  • Links for academic writing assistance and citation guidance:

    • LibGuides for catalog access and reference materials.

    • Phrasebank for academic writing.

    • University-specific resources for further reading on essay structuring and presentation.

Questions

  • Open floor for any questions regarding the essay, themes, or requirements.

Thank you for your attention.