The Outline:
Introduction
This should be roughly 1 page broken into 2 paragraphs.
1. Intro the big picture such as the level/amount of gun violence in brazil
2. Narrow the focus to the time/place/agency etc. that you’ll be discussing. For EXAMPLE, if you were discussing human trafficking in Sri Lanka, you’d explain here and be sure to provide your thesis statement. For example, “In order to combat human trafficking, the government of Sri Lanka must eliminate illegal immigration, toughen trafficking laws and eliminate police corruption.
Gun Violnce
Discuss why gun violence must be eliminated and expected results. (1.5 pp., apprx.)
Gun Laws
Discuss gun laws and how tougher laws will help. (1.5 pp., apprx.)
Police Corruption
Discuss why this contributes to gun violnce in brazil and thus must be eliminated. (1.5 pp., apprx.)
Summary and conclusion
1. Summarize your overall paper.
2. Conclude with how this could be accomplished, ways to get gun violence down. Etc. OFFER A SOLUTION. Example, the U.N. could withhold $ until they comply, send in U.N, forces…BE BOLD and think outside the box!.
You can even use the above headings to organize your paper. Note: no MENTION of the U.S. system because it wasn’t necessary. Do NOT feel you need to mention/compare with the U.S. although YOU MAY do so if you wish and it fits your paper.
Here are some notes I have made regarding student drafts in the past.
You must have a clear thesis. The paper is about something. State it clearly. For example,
Good: The Canadian Mounties are the most complete police agency in the world performing federal, state and local functions.
Bad: The RCMP fights crime. [True, but so does every police agency].
You need a fresh angle. Rehashing old and/or other people’s positions and arguments is not enough. What are YOU bringing to the table? For example, saying Russian prisons are horrible places is not sufficient as this has been said often. But, you might address that a lack of mental health treatment is the most serious issue.
Write at an upper-division college level.
No editorials. For example, “Unlike the U.S., Italy doesn’t treat its inmates like animals.”
Use headings and sub-headings and focus. Many papers often read like random thoughts strewn together.
Citations must relate to the point your expressing. For example, citing what someone said about a juvenile program in Italy in the 1960s isn’t relevant to a new one in Canada.
Don’t use contractions.
There is no “I”, “you” or “we”.
I fixed many errors but not necessarily all so be sure you make all corrections.
U.S. comparisons are not necessary. You may use them. But they are not mandatory.