1. The paper should be ~15 pages in length. I don’t like giving an exact page limit, but this needs to be a thorough research paper. I would be thrilled if you write more than 15 pages.
2. HAVE A THESIS STATEMENT/PARAGRAPH – What is the point of the paper? What did you learn ? What did the show teach you? This should be the roadmap to the reader of what is to come. For example – “Throughout television history women have been poorly treated. This paper will explore the depiction of women in Ally McBeal, The Practice and The Good Wife…..” OR ” I watched (INSERT SHOW HERE) and I noticed that the following recurring theme. This paper will discuss and provide examples of ________.” OR “The ethical dilemma of the attorney-client privilege is an occuring theme. This paper will examine 10 instances throughout film where the attorney-client privilege was addressed.” This is NOT just an extended journal and it is NOT a book report on the show/ film. I want to know what you learned, not just what happened.
3. BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF SHOW – Assume your reader has not watched the show. Give a brief synopsis. This is NOT an episode guide. I do not want a 15 page summary of the show.
4. GIVE SOME HISTORICAL CONTEXT – This is a good place to do some research. Why was this show/movie important? How did it do in the ratings/box office? What is its cultural importance ? (NOTE – If it doesn’t have cultural importance then maybe you should pick a different subject). Does it reflect the time it was made? Is it trying to be something new or different? Is your topic based on real life events. If so, compare and contrast.
5. MAIN POINT – What did you learn? What are you trying to teach the reader? This is where you use examples from the show/movie to illustrate your point. (If you are refer to an episode -MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THE SEASON, EPISODE NUMBER. EPISODE TITLE, and if possible a time code for the parts you are referencing. This can be in a footnote.)
6.WHAT DO OTHERS THINK OF THE TOPIC? – Have others written on your subject ? What are they saying? Are there opinions that take the opposite view point of your paper? Discuss why?
7. What does this particular work teach us about law, lawyers, the legal system, ethics, or justice? What does it teach the general public? How accurate and fair is the showfilm’s account in reflecting the reality of law and lawyers?
8. What specific issues of legal or ethical policy emerge from the show/film? Many show/films dwell on the difference between “justice” and “law.” Do you see a gulf between the two in your choice?
9. PERSONAL THOUGHTS/OPINIONS – You may use a part of this paper to give your own thoughts and opinions.
10. CONCLUSION/SUMMARY – Wrap it all up in a nice bow.
The above is a non-exhaustive list. There can be more. Also, not every paper might be suitable for everything above, but every paper should have most of what is above.
