STEP 1: Introduction to Criminological Topic
Select an empirical, criminological, topic that interests you. The topic should be a social,
political, and/or economic problem related to criminality or penalty. For example, you might
want to write about the criminalization of Latinx, sex workers’ in St. Louis, Missouri. In one (1)
page or less, introduce your topic to the reader.
STEP 2: Thesis Statement
At the end of the introduction, make a clear thesis statement which advocates for a normative,
political, intervention. For example, you might argue that the criminalization of latinx sex
workers is the result of a pervasive, heteronormative, transphobic, worldview among legislators
and law enforcement officers. Therefore, mandatory queer theory courses should be introduced
in public high schools and police academies .
STEP 3: Support Thesis Statement with Arguments and Scholarly Literature
In 2 ½ to 4 pages, give 5 to 10 reasons why your normative, political, intervention would be
effective. Support each of your reasons with theoretical or empirical claims found in academic
literature. For example, you might write a paragraph like the following one:
“One reason I think mandatory queer theory classes in police academies would reduce the
criminalization of Latinx sex workers in St. Louis is because the police officers in St. Louis are
extra smart. Moreover, psychology Professor Quantitative Quantoid at the University of
Statistics conducted a study in 2010 and found that St. Louis police officers score higher on IQ
tests than their Detroit-based counterparts. In fact, Quantoid found that police officers in St. 1
Louis have higher IQs than 99% of police surveyed in the National Longitudinal Survey of
White Supremacist Lies. ” 2
STEP 4: Conclusion
Restate your original claim and wrap-up your arguments. Be self-critical and mention any
obvious shortcomings in your argument.