The Research Paper

 In writing, we ask questions like, “What is your purpose” or “What it your intent”.  Does that refer to your paper or you?  It can be confusing and doesn’t really answer the question presented.

 WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?  This asks a more concrete question that you can answer and use as a springboard for prewriting and drafting.  It gives you a chance to define the topic you are writing about and what information you will use to support the topic.

 Ask and Answer  What is the main idea?  What do you want the reader to learn? To know? To think?  What is the problem? Is there a solution? What is the solution? Why will the solution work?

 Ask and Answer  What is needed for the mission?  Is there information that needs to be given prior to giving the solution?  Are there words or jargon to define so the reader understands your position?

 This is not your “normal” English paper. I want you to think out of the box. I want you to step outside ENGLISH class and think in terms of Criminal Justice. Then, we will take those Criminal Justice ideas and convey them in an effective paper.

 WHAT?! Yes, I want you to think like a police officer, a probation agent, a corrections agent, a DEA, FBI or CIA agent. I want your Criminal Justice brain going – digging for information and presenting that information.

 THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.  Let’s take a broad topic – Forensic Psychology.  The first thought is that the paper is like a report – just give an overview of the topic.  NO! Don’t do that  Instead, begin asking your mission questions.

 What is the main idea?  Forensic Psychology. Specifically the FBI Behavioral Science Unit.  Why was it established?  What is its mission and focus?  How does it help local agencies?  Does it solve crimes?  What tools can be learned from its process?

 What do you want the reader to learn? To know? To think?  The process of using the Behavioral Science Unit, tools they give local agencies, how their processes can solve crime, how to become part of the Behavioral Science Unit.

 Are you intrigued by the popular image that books, TV Shows and movies portray?  Does Alex Cross’ ability to solve a crime through psychology draw you to wanting to know more about Forensic Psychology?  Is the team on Criminal Minds what has given you all your ideas about Forensic Psychology?  Do the books that have been written about Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer, et al intrigue you and make you want to learn more about the criminal mind?

 Now is where you jump  Choose an aspect of Forensic Psychology. Let’s say that serial killers fascinate you. What type of serial killers? What era? Solved or unsolved crimes?  This is where you start generating ideas to start researching and organizing your paper.

TOPIC: Forensic Psychology  BACKGROUND: definition, FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, types of crimes, types of perpetrators, serial killers,  FOCUS – types of serial killers – sexual predators, angels of death, partners, historical, unsolved, etc (choose a focus) – which one is drawing you in?  EXAMPLES – what are three examples? Cases, perpetrator, signature, etc. What is your organizing principle for the focus? VICAP?

 PERSUASION – the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit gives what tools for helping to solve cases.  How or why are these tools effective?  Refer back to your examples.

 Let’s say you focused on Signatures of Sexual Sadists.  What are the signatures most used?  Why?  How did the FBI categorize these crimes?  Remember, here, you are taking the cases, the signatures, and the tools the Behavioral Science Unit uses.

 Now, for the key to persuasion SO WHAT?  Why is this important?  Does it impact how police solve crimes?  Does it impact crime trends?  Does it impact sentencing?  WHY is this information important?

 So far, you are idea generating. This is where you want to be.  As you generate ideas, you will start to see pockets of information form.  Those can turn into organization strategies (paragraphs).

 AUDIENCE – Instead of thinking that you are writing to an English instructor that will sentence you to ten years for comma massacre, I want you to see your audience as someone in the Criminal Justice field who is open to hearing new ideas.

 Remember, your MISSION is to choose a aspect of the topic that is meaningful to you.  Ask yourself SO WHAT about the topic.  Begin to think about the basic information your reader needs to know about the topic.  Then, start to look at examples and descriptions that enhance, explain and support your ideas.