Research Paper based on Orange Is the New Black
Please read the essay assignment directions carefully and completely. Failure to write the minimum required words will result in a failing grade.
Rather than being overwhelmed by the end product, you should think about the research paper as a process with very clear and defined stages: See Specific Assignment Boxes for details, requirements, and due dates
Understanding PATTAL and the Research Paper Guidelines: In order to make sure you understand the research paper requirements, audience awareness, and assignment purpose.
Topic Proposal: In order to help you narrow down and focus an idea for your paper, you will complete a topic proposal.
Preliminary Works Cited: You will then compose a preliminary Works Cited page for a minimum of five outside sources and the novel Orange Is the New Black
At a Glance
For the research paper, we are taking a theme or topic from a book and developing that into a research-based argument paper. The paper must quote from the book at least twice and must incorporate (quote from and parenthetically cite from) 5-7 secondary sources to help provide background information and factual evidence to support the essay’s main assertion.
Main Goals for the Research Paper
Write a thesis statement that makes a claim about an idea or theme found in Orange Is the New Black
Support a thesis using parenthetically cited textual evidence from primary and secondary sources and logical inferences about those sources
Demonstrate improved usage of MLA citation methods
Critically analyze the issue using your research about the topic, and explain this analysis to readers.
Create organized paragraphs that focus on one main point and divide your argument into manageable chunks for your readers.
Texts
Piper Kerman – Orange Is the New Black
At least five secondary sources related to your topic. Your secondary sources MUST be from the Chaffey College Library Catalog or Databases. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Please see the Chaffey Library Website (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) for access. If you need help and cannot get to campus, librarians are available through the 24/7 Librarian Chat function on the Library’s website. NO websites will be accepted as secondary sources for this assignment.
Choose 1 of the following Prompts
To what extent do today’s prisons help to rehabilitate criminals and prepare them for their lives beyond their incarceration?
What effect has mandatory minimum sentencing in drug offenses had on the prison population?
What effect has the opioid crisis in the Midwest and other parts of the country had on the prison population?
How can prisons become reformed to result in more positive outcomes for inmates and for society?
What effect does incarceration have on the family (especially children) and friends of inmates?
To what extent does privilege (racial, socioeconomic, heteronormative) affect rates of conviction and incarceration?
What are some ways that prison is dehumanizing or humiliating to inmates? Is this humiliation warranted?
Do inmates ever create a sense of community while incarcerated? If so, how? If not, why not?
