This paper will explore the unique challenges and conditions faced by women in prisons, with a specific focus on pregnant women

All papers must include a minimum of 4 academic sources (this includes ONLY peer-reviewed journal
articles, scholarly sources and published books). Keep in mind that news sources, organizational
reports, and webpages are NOT academic sources. If you wish to use a non-academic source such as a
government or organizational report you may do so only if you also have 4 academic sources. Do not use
any websites and Wikipedia for any source. Textbooks also do not count toward the 4 academic
resource count as well. Lastly, students may have more than 4 academic sources, this is a minimum.
Most students will need more than 4 academic sources, this is the bare minimum.
If you need help with understanding and locating academic sources, the library offers a number of
resources to students. For example, one-on-one help with research, live chats, etc. You can only locate
many academic sources through the MSU library databases. Failure to have the minimum number of
sources and/or failure to have academic sources will result in major point deduction. Essentially, a
student who does not have the correct sources does not have a research paper. Also, you must cite each
source in your paper that is in your reference page, or it will not be counted as a source.
Paper Format:
The key to succeeding on the paper is to carefully read the selected sources and address the above
objectives.
 All papers need to have a title page. Students do not need to provide an annotated summary.
 NOT COUNTING THE TITLE PAGE OR THE REFERENCE PAGE- the paper needs to be 7 pages in
length (typed, double-spaced, 10-12 pt font) paper. This page requirement does not include a
title page and reference page. Your paper component needs to be 7 pages. This means with a
title page and reference page your total paper count should be 9 pages.
 Each paper should have a reference page that is APA citation style. Do not use MLA. Points will
be deducted when students do not use proper APA in-text citations and/or correct APA
reference page.
 Papers should be double-spaced with margins no larger than 1” and typed in 10-12 pt. font.
 All papers need to have the selected research cited within the paper using APA in-text citation
style and reference style. Student must cite research or it is considered plagiarism.
 All papers should be carefully edited and be free of spelling and grammatical errors. I strongly
encourage all students to have another person read their paper before turning it in. I suggest
using the Writing Center!
 Use direct quotes rarely in your paper. You should have as much of the paper as possible in
your own words. Direct quotes should only be used if changing the wording greatly affects the
meaning. You should put information in your words and cite properly. A paper full of direct
quotes is not a paper that is written by a student and it usually does not flow well because the
paper is in many voices. If you do use direct quotes, the sentences that are direct must be cited
and in quotation marks.
 Do not use lists, charts, or graphs. This is not a long paper and the focus is on good writing and
presentation of material.
 Avoid using vague terms. For example, don’t write “this is a huge issue”. Huge is a vague word
and is not specific to the issue. Avoid using “you.” Avoid writing questions, use statements
instead