You must examine and analyze in detail the peer reviewed article “The corner and the crew: The influence of geography and social networks on gang violence” by Andrew V. Papachristos, David M. Hureau and Anthony A. Braga.

https://asr.sagepub.com/content/78/3/417.full.pdf+html

1. Structure of Essay:

� Organization (introduction, body, conclusion, appropriate headings & paragraphs)

� Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling

� Proper use of references and bibliography (primary/academic sources)

� Your references and bibliography must conform to accepted academic standards as discussed in class.

� Only credible sources are accepted for this assignment.

� Proofread your paper carefully or have someone read it for you.

2. Content of Essay:

� Thesis statement and clear/concise introduction

� Paragraph flow/synthesis

� Identification, discussion and analysis of the appropriate phenomenon

� Phenomenon well supported through literature support not conjecture

� Accurate description of theoretical component/case study/crime/criminal justice issue/group identification

� Relevant theoretical application and/or research to support the phenomenon under investigation

� Evaluation of theory and/or research (what theory best helps explain your chosen phenomenon and why?)

� Appropriate summary and opinion articulation in conclusion

� You need to do more than simply provide the highlights of the research article that you have chosen. You are required to analyze the issue from the appropriate theoretical point of view and use academic sources to provide evidence for your conclusions.

3. Quality of Essay:

� Arguments that are well presented and supported

� Clear and logical expression of ideas

� Originality

� Overall quality of essay

� Make sure that you fully explain an idea. Try to engage and develop ideas presented either in the course or in the academic sources that you have chosen.

� Avoid making generalizations without providing adequate support or evidence, or spending too much time discussing issues that are not relevant to the paper.

4. Essay Areas of Concentration:

� Research Hypothesis (What are they trying to prove or disprove?)

� How was research completed?

� What theoretical framework does the research support/detract from?

� Are there any flaws in the research?

� What are the research strengths?

� How should this research influence policy?

What research should be completed to further the debates?

? Research hypothesis (what is the author trying to prove/disprove? This is usually very explicitly stated in one or two sentences in the article)

? How was the research completed?

? What theoretical framework does the research support/detract from?

? What flaws does the research have?

? What strengths does the research have?

? What are the research implications/how should this research influence policy/laws?

? What research should be completed to further the debates?

? 1500-2000 words (10% allowance), A.P.A. Sourcing