The Legal Research Paper

The Legal Research Paper   

 MY topic is Contempt of court 

Paper should be a minimum of eight (8) pages of solid text.  Paper should be written in Times-New Roman 14-point font.  Use APA publication style, double-spaced with standard margins.  Use subheadings.  Obviously, one subheading will be Introduction.  The last subheading will be Conclusion. The others will be based upon whatever it is you are writing about.

Write a one-page introduction in which you take a position or stand on whatever it is you are writing about.  Toward the end of the introduction you will write your research question or your thesis statement and then continue with the body of the paper.  A statement saying, the purpose of this paper is to. . . will not take the place of the aforementioned.  So please, dont write such a statement.  Please remember the intro and conclusion are the only two places you can put your opinion.  The body of the paper is not the place for opinion.  This is where you will have a neutral weaving in and out of the various literature and cases.

Important:  The title of the paper must indicate or at least give a hint as to your position.  For example, if the broad area you have been assigned is libel,  the title of your paper cannot be simply libel.  The title must indicate some sort of angle.  The same thing with telecommunications regulation and so on.

You are required to have at least six (6) cases and at least two (2) journal articles from a law journal.  You cannot use your textbook as a source.  No Reviews, No Masters Thesis or Dissertation Documents can be used as sources. To do so will automatically void your research. Paper must also be in line with the objectives of this course. 

Oops I almost forgot. . .your reference list should be APA style also.  Incomplete papers are not acceptable.  Papers with no reference list or a partial list are considered incomplete.  Do not use more than two (2) cases that are detailed in your text or that we have detailed in class. The electronic copy must be submitted prior to the due date.  Technical problems are your problems. Print your paper early enough to compensate for the unforeseen. Preferential treatment will not be possible. Late papers are not acceptable. In extreme circumstances such as near-death experiences, a late paper might be accepted for half credit.  This, however, is highly unlikely.

The paper below falls under the area of Telecommunications Regulation

For example, I believe that Broadcasters were historically treated unfairly in comparison to newspapers in terms of regulation.  Consequently, I do not believe that the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine after nearly 50 years was too little too late, but rather a giant step in the right direction of leveling the playing field.

The title of my paper is the Unfairness of the Fairness Doctrine in the Violation of the Broadcasters First Amendment rights.

See how the title indicates my position?

I will assign subject areas in class.

All sources used in the preparation of paper must be submitted along with the paper in the envelope.  I need complete copies.  Do not submit copies of sources in email.

PS:  Do not write any papers on the Fairness Doctrine.

PS: (Too) Do not include more than a paragraph talking about The History of . . . or the Evolution of . . . or Definitions . . . (I prefer you didnt spend time with this, being that this is only an 8-page document).  Also, papers that appear to be just a re-hashing of repeated definitions are not acceptable.  For example, a paper on Libel that merely takes the five elements of libel and babbles on and on and on about each element in turn, not really saying anything . . . 

Also in the envelope should be a copy of your research paper.

Please be certain that the paper is stapled. Be certain each individual journal article is stapled. Any unstapled documents will be set aside and returned to the author (you). Once documents are returned for stapling, it is unlikely the research paper will be graded.

I will forward an address as to where you can mail your sources.

Grading Criteria for Legal Research Paper

• Paper must be prepared in accordance with written instructions.  

25 points (APA Style). This includes the requirements for the correct number of sources.  All sources must be submitted in at least 12-point readable font.  All cases must be from official sources such as West Law. Cases downloaded randomly from the internet are not acceptable.

• Position, research question or thesis must be clearly stated.  25 Points
• Conclusion must be based upon evidence found in the literature. 

25 Points

• Paper must be free of errors in usage, grammar and spelling. 25 Points