This is the last live seminar!

Questions about final project

Word choice

Any APA questions.

Wrap up.

What is word choice?

• Word choice is also called APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE and is part of CLARITY (clear language that conveys ideas)

• Jargon

• Euphemisms and Doublespeak

• Obsolete or Invented words

• Slang and regionalism

• Sexist Language

• Offensive language

Jargon

• Jargon is specialized language used within a group (Hacker, 2008, p. 128)

• If the reader is not familiar with jargon, they will not understand the concept

• Too much jargon makes the sentence or paragraph hard to read

• Also called “puffed up language” (Hacker, 2008, p. 128)

• Used to inflate words or sentences

• Words look pretty or sound important

Euphemisms and Double Speak

• Euphemisms are phrases that are indirect and wordy (Hacker, 2008, p. 129). They appear to maintain propriety.

• Sleeping together (sexual intercourse)

• Economically deprived (poor)

• Doublespeak is evasive and deceptive language (Hacker, 2008, p. 130).• Used in politics and business

• Missiles – peacekeepers

• May result in adverse health consequences

Slang and Regionalism

• Slang is informal or private language within a group (Hacker, 2008, p. 132). Some of these words will become part of standard English due to their overuse. They are still not acceptable in academic writing.

• Phat

• Groovy

• Awesome

– Regionalism refers to language used in a certain geographical area (Hacker, 2008, p. 133). Because it is most understandable in that geographical area, it can be misunderstood in academic writing where you have a mixed geographical audience.

Hazards with Offensive or Stereotypical language

• ALL – denotes a generalization that is grounded in stereotypes.

• ALL – when you use ALL GANG MEMBERS ARE . . . you are showing the reader that you are making a stereotype. Generally, it will be a racist stereotype.

• ALL – when you use ALL ILLEGALS . . . you are making a racist stereotype about immigration in the United States. Remember, ALL illegal immigrants are not from Mexico.

• ALL – when you use ALL TERRORISTS . . . you are making an ethnic, regional, or religious stereotype

Why is word choice important?

• Using non-offensive language shows the reader that you are:

• Credible

• Non-biased

• Have thought through the implications of stereotyping

– Most importantly, when you think about word choice and you CHOOSE to use words that are not offensive, stereotypical, slang, or out of date, you are showing your skills as an ACADEMIC WRITER who can EFFECTIVELY communicate ideas. Effective written communication of ideas is a desirable and necessary skill in the criminal justice field.

Revision vs. Editing:

• What is the difference?

Examples of editing:

• Making grammar, spelling, punctuation corrections

• Word choice corrections

• Any formatting issues (APA style) that you might have.

Examples of revision:

• Taking out full paragraphs

• Adding full paragraphs

• Re-working your thesis or conclusion.

• Adding more research.

• Removing research that does not relate.

Internet Task Overview

• 5 pages

• Title and Reference page (not included in 5 pages)

• Thesis and Conclusion

• 4 outside sources (2 from KU Library)

• In-text citations

• 12 pt. Times New Roman Font

• Double-spaced

So, what makes a good research paper?

• Your thoughts….

A good research paper should:

• Make an argument

• The argument should be able to be debated (the sky is blue is not an argument – it is a fact)

• Should rely on research to support thesis

• Should include research within body of paper

Some other issues to think about when proofing your paper:

• Pronouns

• Example: If a teacher parks in the parking lot, they should watch for children.

• What is wrong with this sentence?

Proof your paper three times:

• Proof first to make sure that your argument is logical.

• Do all paragraphs relate back to thesis?

• Does all of your research relate back to thesis?

• Revise!

Second proof:

• Read for grammar and punctuation errors.

• Spellcheck!

• Is paper formatted in APA style

• Edit!

Have someone else read your paper:

• Ask them if your paper makes sense.

• Do they have any questions.

• Use your classmates for this!

• Turn in paper!

Trena’s thesis:

• Technology plays an increasingly important role in the field of criminal justice. Until recently, officers were unable to access databases from the field. With new technologies available, they are able to expedite the process and have access to databases with personal information. Although the cost of this new technology is considerable, it is well worth it because time is saved and criminals are caught

Trena’s first paragraph:

• Which technological advancements have helped officers is the field? On site access to fingerprint databases and hand held devices have greatly helped with the efficiency of officers in the field. Many state and national DNA databases have increased after favorable results in Virginia (Solving Property Crimes with DNA: The Virginia Experience, n.d.). This too is helpful because officers now have extra information to work with. The combination of these advancements has made agents much more efficient.

Trena’s third paragraph

• In recent years, obtaining a person’s fingerprints has come a long way. It used to be much more difficult. The officer would have to take the suspect to the station and then collect his prints. This process would require the use of ink being rolled onto the fingertips, and then placing the fingertips onto a piece of paper to make an impression. Today, all the officer needs is a compact scanner that he easily carries on his belt and uses to access an Information-Based Identification System (IBIS). “This system scans a subjects finger and generates a forensic-quality fingerprint on the scene, then searches databases and returns with identification results within two to three minutes” (IBIS: Fingering the Felon, 2004, p.1, para. 3). By using this system, the officer greatly reduces the amount of time needed to verify a person’s identity

Let’s skip ahead to the conclusion

• Technological advancements have made a big difference in how efficient officers in the field are today. They not only have more information in their databases to access, but also more means by which to do it, such as Smartphones and PDAs. The criminal justice field has come a long way

End of class quiz (it’s not what you think!)

• What makes a good thesis?

• What should you do before writing?

• Are outlines helpful?

• How important is research

• How do you make your paper flow?

• APA style – are you comfortable?

• What makes a good conclusion?

Unit 9 expectations

• Reading

• Seminar

• DB – Writing process

• Take a Break

• Project!!

What to expect in Unit 10

• No Seminar!

• DB – Reflecting on the course.