LS498 – Session 1LS498 – Session 1

THE

END

IS

NEAR

Professor Elizabeth Warren

Usual Seminar FormatUsual Seminar Format

• Start on time; get centered and Start on time; get centered and focusedfocused

• Finish early?Finish early?• Check email and pick up slides Check email and pick up slides

before classbefore class• Can’t log in? Can’t hear? Can’t see Can’t log in? Can’t hear? Can’t see

slides? Call Tech Support ASAPslides? Call Tech Support ASAP

ExpectationsExpectations• SeminarSeminar• DiscussionsDiscussions• AssignmentsAssignments

– namingnaming

• QuestionsQuestions– Course numberCourse number

• TimelinessTimeliness“See, the thing is, no one at Kaplan cared if I turned my papers in late and I got into that habit and well…”

Help with the Writing Help with the Writing Process BSLS 498Process BSLS 498

Part 1 Part 1 Choosing a topicChoosing a topic

Choose your subjectChoose your subject

• Write down any and all ideas. Write down any and all ideas. • Brainstorm – alone or with others. Brainstorm – alone or with others. • Ask yourself the six questions that Ask yourself the six questions that

journalists always use: Who? What? journalists always use: Who? What? When? Why? Where? How? When? Why? Where? How?

• Stay in the legal arena.Stay in the legal arena.

• A A fewfew of many areas to think about: of many areas to think about:– Public policy decisions Public policy decisions – Legal ethics: outsourcing, Legal ethics: outsourcing,

advertising, billing. advertising, billing. – Constitutional issuesConstitutional issues– Paralegal regulation Paralegal regulation – Legal technology Legal technology – LegislationLegislation– School lawSchool law

Narrow it downNarrow it down

• How can you restrict your topic and How can you restrict your topic and limit the broad subject to a small limit the broad subject to a small and more manageable topic?and more manageable topic?

• Focus, focus, focus (this is not your Focus, focus, focus (this is not your life’s work!)life’s work!)

• Do your research.Do your research.

Narrow it down, exampleNarrow it down, example• Student A has an interest in adoption.Student A has an interest in adoption.• She looks at some adoption statutes in her state.She looks at some adoption statutes in her state.• She writes for about 10 to 15 minutes just jotting down her She writes for about 10 to 15 minutes just jotting down her

thoughts about adoption rights.thoughts about adoption rights.• She investigates further and looks up articles, writings, She investigates further and looks up articles, writings,

and legislation on the subject. and legislation on the subject. • She looks at the statutes that surround this issue. As she She looks at the statutes that surround this issue. As she

investigates further, she starts to narrow her search.investigates further, she starts to narrow her search.• She investigates statutes and finds that mothers can retain She investigates statutes and finds that mothers can retain

their identity when they give up their child for adoption.their identity when they give up their child for adoption.• She comes up with this topic, “Should mothers who give She comes up with this topic, “Should mothers who give

their children up for adoption be allowed to keep their their children up for adoption be allowed to keep their identity secret?”identity secret?”

• This may not be her final thesis statement, but she has a This may not be her final thesis statement, but she has a very good start, and has narrowed down her topic.very good start, and has narrowed down her topic.

InvestigationInvestigation

• Your topic will be some specific aspect of a Your topic will be some specific aspect of a general subject.general subject.

• You may have a special interest in the topic or You may have a special interest in the topic or have special knowledge or experience in an have special knowledge or experience in an area. area.

• You will want to do some investigation about You will want to do some investigation about your topic to help narrow it down.your topic to help narrow it down.

• Your investigation may involve going to the Your investigation may involve going to the library, using the Internet, perhaps even doing library, using the Internet, perhaps even doing an interview to try to obtain information about an interview to try to obtain information about the subject.the subject.

ResourcesResources• Look at the paralegal organizations: NALA, NFPA, AAfPE Look at the paralegal organizations: NALA, NFPA, AAfPE • Check out any of the legal public policy websites. Here is a list: Check out any of the legal public policy websites. Here is a list:

http://www.policyalmanac.org/directory/General-Organizations.shtml

• ACLU has debated legal topics: http://www.aclu.org/ ACLU has debated legal topics: http://www.aclu.org/ • Government Agencies: Government Agencies:

http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtmlhttp://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/All_Agencies/index.shtml• Center for Constitutional Rights: http://ccrjustice.org/ Center for Constitutional Rights: http://ccrjustice.org/ • American Bar Association: http://www.abanet.org/public.html?American Bar Association: http://www.abanet.org/public.html?

ptc=global_publicresources_legaltopicresources ptc=global_publicresources_legaltopicresources http://www.legalrebels.com/ http://www.abanet.org/tech/ltrc/ http://www.legalrebels.com/ http://www.abanet.org/tech/ltrc/

• First amendment centerFirst amendment center - - firstamendment center.orgfirstamendment center.org

Start as you mean to go Start as you mean to go on.on.

Two Parts to APATwo Parts to APA

• Part I: Style and formatPart I: Style and format• Part II: Citations and ReferencesPart II: Citations and References• Go to the Go to the Purdue University Online Purdue University Online

Writing LabWriting Lab at at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/rehttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html. search/r_apa.html. – This site contains a simulated APA journal This site contains a simulated APA journal

article, a sample paper in APA style, a FAQ article, a sample paper in APA style, a FAQ about APA style, and examples of various about APA style, and examples of various citations. citations.

Part I: FormatPart I: Format

• Serif type style Serif type style – Times Roman is one; Times Roman is one; Arial is NOT oneArial is NOT one

• 12 point type12 point type• Double spacedDouble spaced• Margins – one inch all sides Margins – one inch all sides • Do not justify - ragged right marginDo not justify - ragged right margin• Numbers 10 and higher are represented as Numbers 10 and higher are represented as

numerals. Nine and lower are spelled out (with numerals. Nine and lower are spelled out (with exceptions).exceptions).

• Use a numeral and percentage sign unless at Use a numeral and percentage sign unless at the start of a sentence or if you’re quoting the start of a sentence or if you’re quoting directly from a source. directly from a source.

Part I: Format, slide 2Part I: Format, slide 2• Only one space is used after period, Only one space is used after period,

commas, colons, and semicolons.commas, colons, and semicolons.– Also exclamation points and questionsAlso exclamation points and questions

• Seriation goes vertical if Seriation goes vertical if 1. 1. 2. 2. 3.3.

– In paragraph use (a), (b), (c)…In paragraph use (a), (b), (c)…• No space appears before or after the No space appears before or after the

hyphenhyphen• Header and page numbers - Pagination: top Header and page numbers - Pagination: top

rightright

Making a HeaderMaking a Header• Before you begin your document (blank page)Before you begin your document (blank page)• In Word 2003 - Click on View and then click Header In Word 2003 - Click on View and then click Header

and footer.and footer.– A dotted box will come up. A dotted box will come up. – Type about 2 words of the title of your paper in the Type about 2 words of the title of your paper in the

box then hit your space bar.box then hit your space bar.– Then look at the bar. It has an icon of a piece of Then look at the bar. It has an icon of a piece of

paper with this (#) in it. Click on it. It will number paper with this (#) in it. Click on it. It will number your page.your page.

– Put your curser to the left of your title in the Put your curser to the left of your title in the header. Hit the tab twice. It will move everything header. Hit the tab twice. It will move everything to the right.to the right.

– Click close in the bar. All done!Click close in the bar. All done!• In Word 2007 – Click on Insert and then click Header In Word 2007 – Click on Insert and then click Header

and proceedand proceed

Part I: StylePart I: Style

• Report literature in past tense: Freud Report literature in past tense: Freud (1917/1980) explained (1917/1980) explained

• Use secondary sources carefullyUse secondary sources carefully• Data and media are pluralData and media are plural• Avoid contractionsAvoid contractions• Do not use first personDo not use first person• Use active voice (focus on the actor, not Use active voice (focus on the actor, not

the action)the action)• Be conciseBe concise

Part I: Style, slide 2Part I: Style, slide 2• Insert a serial comma in a series of three or Insert a serial comma in a series of three or

more nouns or noun phrases before the more nouns or noun phrases before the words words andand or or oror

• Possessives of proper nouns ending in s get Possessives of proper nouns ending in s get ’s added’s added

• It’s vs. its (it’s means it is ) (its shows It’s vs. its (it’s means it is ) (its shows possession).possession).

• Plurals of numbers should avoid the Plurals of numbers should avoid the apostrophe, such as "1950s" as opposed to apostrophe, such as "1950s" as opposed to "1950’s.“"1950’s.“

• Do not boldface Do not boldface

Part I: Style, slide 3Part I: Style, slide 3• Most pieces of writing are divided Most pieces of writing are divided

into three sections: an introduction, into three sections: an introduction, discussion, and a conclusion.discussion, and a conclusion.

• IntroductionIntroduction– Provides sufficient background of topic Provides sufficient background of topic

and previews major points. and previews major points. – Identifies what will be “studied” or Identifies what will be “studied” or

“discussed.” The major points of the “discussed.” The major points of the introduction should match the introduction should match the assignmentassignment..

Paper StructurePaper Structure• Body of the paper : Delivers what is described in Body of the paper : Delivers what is described in

the introduction. the introduction. • Organize your ideas to flow in logical sequence.Organize your ideas to flow in logical sequence.• Major points are organized using headings and Major points are organized using headings and

supported with references. Ideas are stated supported with references. Ideas are stated clearly and concisely. clearly and concisely.

• Each paragraph has a topic sentence and Each paragraph has a topic sentence and sentences to support the topic. sentences to support the topic.

• Transition sentences bridge topics. One topic; Transition sentences bridge topics. One topic; one paragraph.one paragraph.

• Conclusion flow logically from the paper and Conclusion flow logically from the paper and summarizes major pointssummarizes major points

WritingWriting

• Choose you words carefully…be aware of Choose you words carefully…be aware of the discrepancy between the meaning the discrepancy between the meaning you attribute to a term and its dictionary you attribute to a term and its dictionary definition… feel does not mean think !definition… feel does not mean think !

• Use declarative statements rather than Use declarative statements rather than questions to present information and questions to present information and avoid asking the reader questions in the avoid asking the reader questions in the text. text.

• Do not use slang or irony Do not use slang or irony

Economy of ExpressionEconomy of ExpressionThings to avoid:Things to avoid:• Jargon: continuous use of technical Jargon: continuous use of technical

vocabulary.vocabulary.• Wordiness: e.g. based on the fact that > Wordiness: e.g. based on the fact that >

because.because.• Redundancy: Use no more words than Redundancy: Use no more words than

necessary to convey your meaningnecessary to convey your meaning• Colloquial expressionColloquial expression• Undefined pronouns “ this, that, it, those” Undefined pronouns “ this, that, it, those”

cause ambiguity unless the referent of cause ambiguity unless the referent of each is obvious. APA 2.03 p. 34each is obvious. APA 2.03 p. 34

VerbsVerbs

• Use active rather than passive voice. Use active rather than passive voice. • Examples:Examples:

– Passive (poor): The land was stripped of Passive (poor): The land was stripped of timber before the settlers realized the timber before the settlers realized the consequences of their actions.consequences of their actions.

– Active (better): The settlers stripped the Active (better): The settlers stripped the land of timber before realizing the land of timber before realizing the consequences of their actions.consequences of their actions.

Verb TenseVerb Tense

• Use the present tense to argue your Use the present tense to argue your position, discuss the results, and to position, discuss the results, and to present the conclusion.present the conclusion.

• Past tense should be used to Past tense should be used to describe previous research such as describe previous research such as “Blanchard and Blanchard (2001) “Blanchard and Blanchard (2001) wrote…”wrote…”

• Avoid unnecessary shifts in verb Avoid unnecessary shifts in verb tense within the same paragraph tense within the same paragraph (most of them are not necessary)(most of them are not necessary)

Reduce Bias in LanguageReduce Bias in Language• Constructions that might imply bias Constructions that might imply bias

against persons on the basis of gender, against persons on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic group, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic group, disability, or age should be avoided. disability, or age should be avoided.

• Examples: Examples: – The elderly === elderly peopleThe elderly === elderly people– Subjects === participants, colleagues, Subjects === participants, colleagues,

studentsstudents– Homosexuals=== gay and lesbiansHomosexuals=== gay and lesbians– Sexual preference=== Sexual orientationSexual preference=== Sexual orientation

PlagiarismPlagiarism

• If it is not your original idea, then If it is not your original idea, then you must give credit to the source you must give credit to the source of the information.of the information. For example, For example, whether you are writing a direct whether you are writing a direct quote, paraphrasing, or supporting quote, paraphrasing, or supporting an argument with information you an argument with information you researched, you must then give credit researched, you must then give credit to the source of the information in the to the source of the information in the main body of your paper.main body of your paper.

PlagiarismPlagiarism

• Is using someone’s words, ideas, charts, Is using someone’s words, ideas, charts, graphs without giving them credit.graphs without giving them credit.

• Using your old work for a new assignment.Using your old work for a new assignment.• Changing a few words here and there is Changing a few words here and there is

considered plagiarism.considered plagiarism.• Paraphrasing is putting it in your own Paraphrasing is putting it in your own

words without looking at the original. Think words without looking at the original. Think what the passage is really about, think what the passage is really about, think critically. How important is the specific critically. How important is the specific paragraph?paragraph?

Part II: Citations and Part II: Citations and References References

• Use citations and references to give Use citations and references to give credit where credit is due. credit where credit is due.

• The material you may find actually The material you may find actually belongs to the author. It is his/her work belongs to the author. It is his/her work and you must acknowledge that you are and you must acknowledge that you are using it.using it.

• You should also include citations in your You should also include citations in your text to give credibility to your writing text to give credibility to your writing and to give your readers a place to go for and to give your readers a place to go for more information.more information.

CitationCitation• When you rely on and use legal sources and When you rely on and use legal sources and

legal authorities in your own work.legal authorities in your own work.• The citation follows the discussion from the The citation follows the discussion from the

source: It is clear that only personal rights source: It is clear that only personal rights that can be deemed "fundamental" or "implicit that can be deemed "fundamental" or "implicit in the concept of ordered liberty” are in the concept of ordered liberty” are guaranteed personal privacy guaranteed personal privacy Palko v. Palko v. ConnecticutConnecticut, 302 U.S. 319, 325 (1937). , 302 U.S. 319, 325 (1937).

• In-Text Citations: Supply page numbers for In-Text Citations: Supply page numbers for direct quotes from print sources or direct quotes from print sources or ¶ number ¶ number for electronic onesfor electronic ones..

• If you use the words or ideas of others and If you use the words or ideas of others and don’t cite PROPERLY, you are guilty of don’t cite PROPERLY, you are guilty of plagiarism.plagiarism.