Reminder of the categories papers were graded on: 1) Do you clearly state a thesis: 1-6 points 2) Do you defend your thesis will well-reasoned

Transcription

1 Paper Overview Reminder of the Questions asked: 1. Why are there laws against drunk driving? 2. What were the forces that shaped the creation of the law? 3. Why do people obey or disobey the drunk driving laws? 4. What tactics might increase compliance with these laws? 5. Ask ten people how they determine whether or not they are too drunk to drive? Based on this information, what do their answers suggest about the way law functions to influence people s behavior?

2 Reminder of the categories papers were graded on: 1) Do you clearly state a thesis: 1-6 points 2) Do you defend your thesis will well-reasoned analysis: 1-7 points 3) Do you demonstrate an understanding of the readings, make reference to course material: 1-7 points 4) Do you thoroughly answers all the questions: 1-7 points 5) Is your essay well-written and easy to follow: 1-6 points 6) Do you follow rules of grammar, punctuation, and citation: 1-7 points.

3 Thesis A thesis: A proposition that is maintained by argument. It can be boiled down to one sentence. Thesis statement, because x, y, and z. An argument: A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood; a reason or the reasoning given for or against a matter under discussion; a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal. What you need is some combination of both because: 1) tells the reader how you interpret the subject at hand, 2) creates a roadmap for a paper (telling the reader what to expect for the rest of the paper), 3) an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself.

4 Samples of Introductory Paragraphs: While Tom Tyler presents a plausible explanation for compliance with law by appealing to the importance of normative values in the individual and in society concerning the importance of legitimacy and morality (Darian-Smith, 43-53), he fails to emphasize what seem to be three essential elements in ascertaining the prospect for cooperation with the law, namely the necessity of rational awareness of one s actions in decision-making in the individual, powerful emotional association to the issue at hand, and the ability to association certain action-reaction combinations with their emotional consequences. Points for making thesis statement: 6/6

5 Drunk driving is a threat to the overall well-being of people in society. This is why it is considered a serious offense. It tends to be harmful and fatal not to mention detrimental to ones record. For the most part though, people still engage in the act even though there are consequences in more ways than one. Laws are not always put in to effect for the best interested of everyone but the laws against drunk driving are simply in place to keep people alive. Why then is there still such resistance in following these laws? Past events and social standards emerging have shaped the laws to what they are today to less the havoc that might occur to a community. The problem is that the decision to obey or disobey this law is being placed too loosely in an inadequate person s discretion after consuming alcohol. Drunk driving laws will continue to be violated unless the system finds a way to further restrict the everyday citizen from getting in his or her car after a trip to the bar. Points for statement: 3/6

6 To reduce the overall numbers of offenses and general impact of drunk driving in the local community of Hadley the effect of laws on society must be looked at. People today to put law second in their life of obeying rules and put their own ideas of morality first but alcohol intoxication makes it easy for people to forget both, leading to a high number of drunk driving offenses. Points for thesis statement: 1/6

7 Quotes There are already severe legal deterrents in place to prevent drunk driving. People can be fined, have their license suspended, or be required to attend classes on alcohol abuse. Tyler (1990) argues that the findings of his study support the suggestion that the influence of deterrence on compliance may be overrated (p. 495). If the Hadley City Council wants to lower the rate of drunk driving offenses, they have to look for solutions other than increasing penalties for drunk driving.

8 Drunk drivers usually cause the majority of car accidents and consequently damage a great deal of property. Clarence Darrow reminds us that These people who have property fix it so they can protect what they have. (Darrow, qtd. In Bonsignore et al. 229) Darrow s point in this passage is to illustrate that generally laws are made by those in society who wish to protect their property. Because drunk drivers cause a great deal of property damage and loss of life, much of the momentum to create the law came from those who own property, seek protection for their possessions and safety for their families.

9 Drunken driving laws were created because society felt that drunk driving is a behavior that is a danger to the public. It was possible for these laws to be created because those perceived dangers are real, and the public accepted these laws as legitimate. Peter Kropotkin states; If law, however, presented nothing but a collection of prescriptions serviceable to rulers, it would find some difficulty insuring acceptance and obedience. (Kroptokin 162). This applies to the creation of laws that criminalize drunken driving because it would not be viewed as legitimate and may be disregarded and not obeyed. Drunken driving laws serve the purpose of protecting society from a potentially harmful behavior by banning such behavior.

10 Editing Clarity: The enforcement by police is highly effective for many crimes and is sufficient. Someone could argue that Drunk Driving is good for the community. While others believe it is bad. Law formulates differently in everyone for many different reasons and in different ways. Many countries have different laws concerning limitations on drinking, as well as, drinking and driving and this country s view on the subject is explicitly depicted in the law that is enforced by the authorities.

11 Making broad claims that you can t or don t backup: People acted recklessly and did not care for those that live and drive around them [in reference to why a law against drunk driving was created]. The same can be said for the people who disobey drunk driving laws, in the sense that do not view it as morally wrong and that they are not fearful of getting caught. This is why there is less sexual assault than drunk driving offenses. Car accidents are one of the highest killers of human beings today. All of the people I surveyed had the same upbringing, resulting in them having the same basic morals. The law against drinking and driving, as well as most other laws was created out of necessity.

12 Connecting Points To lower drunk driving offenses, the law must seem more just and there must be more surveillance Drunk driving laws keep people safe. Getting people to obey means getting their respect. It seems as if the wealthy are above the law. We are taught to respect and obey the law. Some people obey because they are afraid of getting caught. Unjust laws are laws that are not rooted in eternal or natural law. African Americans drive while drunk to show others that they won t obey a law that is unjustly targeting them as a minority group. Community policing, being proactive rather than reactive, getting community help, making more arrests for quality of life offenses, and police responding effectively to all calls will increase respect for the law. Having police outside every bar, telling bartenders to use good judgment when serving alcohol, setting up roadblocks to stop every car will make people obey drunk driving laws.

13 Questions to ask as you edit a paper: 1) Did I answer the question? 2) Did I make statements rather than ask questions? 3) Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? (This helps keep your thesis focused and not to broad. A broad statement is difficult to disagree with.) 4) Ask yourself, so what? (Why should we care? What does it matter? This can help keep you focused on supporting your point.) 5) Do I stick to the point? (Don t wander away from your thesis or your point. Say what you need to say to support your point and then stop.) 6) Ask yourself, how and why? (If the reader immediately asks how or why you haven t made a clear statement or you haven t adequately supported it.)

14 Grade Policy If your performance on the second paper is better (percentage-wise) than your performance on the first paper, your grade for the second paper will also serve as your grade for the first paper. Please let us know if you have any questions about this policy.

15 Class Mean & Grade Spread Mean class grade: 9.32 (18.6/40) NOTE: Grades on WebCT are listed out of 20 points. The points you received on the hard copy of the paper were divided by 2 before being entered into WebCT.

16 Class Mean & Grade Spread Legal250 - Intro to Legal Studies - WebCT Mean class grade: 9.32/20 A = A- = B+ = B = B- = C+ = C = C- = D = F = Distribution for Paper One Statistics: Paper One Graded out of: Number of records: 132 Score Range Highest grade: Lowest grade: 0.00 Frequency [ 0, 1 ) 2 [ 1, 2 ) [ 2, 3 ) 1 [ 3, 4 ) [ 4, 5 ) [ 5, 6 ) 10 [ 6, 7 ) 13 [ 7, 8 ) 20 [ 8, 9 ) 23 [ 9, 10 ) 14 [ 10, 11 ) 15 [ 11, 12 ) 5 [ 12, 13 ) 6 [ 13, 14 ) 6 [ 14, 15 ) 5 [ 15, 16 ) 3 [ 16, 17 ) 4 [ 17, 18 ) 3 [ 18, 19 ) 2 [ 19, 20 ) [ 20 ] Fewer Bars More Bars Mean grade: 9.32 Median grade: 8.50 Standard deviation: /31/ :55 AM