I. Introduction
a. Attention-getter
b. Thesis
c. Subtopics
d. Transition
II. Body
i. Constitution summary (they have a book with the entire constitution for this
and can use websites that make the constitution easier to understand, like
constitution for kids. Their teacher allows this, but they must include it in the
reference page.)
1. Summarize all 7 of the articles (roughly 7 paragraphs or less)
a. Encourage them to only include main ideas, no details, or this
part could extend to 10+ pages
b. For example, the first article is about the legislative branch. We
need to know what it discusses but not the details. We need to
know that there are requirements to be in congress in this
article but not what they all are.
2. All 27 amendments Summarize s
a. Many of these are very short and will take only one sentence to
summarize. Make sure they don’t copy.
b. They can group these together to make paragraphs, maybe 4-5
in one paragraph.
c. This will take roughly 3 pages
ii. 2 Articles and 2 Amendments
1. this section, they have to choose 2 articles and 2 amendments that
are related to criminal justice. In
2. For each, they have to explain the historical debate that occurred when
it was first written. Then, they have to apply it to today in the criminal
justice field, including their reaction to any current debates about them.
3. They will need to use credible sources for this section (websites, their
textbook, etc.)
4. Each one should be 1-2 paragraphs, no more.
5. Usually, they choose the 3rd article, which is about the judicial branch
and possibly the 4th article about states’ rights. Some choose the 2nd
article about the executive branch.
6. Many choose the 2nd amendment about guns, but there are actually
many amendments that could apply to criminal justice.
III. Conclusion
a. The student’s personal reaction to taking an oath to the constitution (not just I like it or
feel proud. Instead, include specific parts that you like or dislike and why.)
b. Restate thesis and subtopics
IV. Reference page
a. Include all sources (textbook, constitution, any websites, other sources) in APA format
b. Make sure they also use in-text citation throughout the essay, especially in the 2
articles/2 amendments sections
I. Intr
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