Often you’ll be given assignments that ask you to apply the theories you’ve studied to a situation, a legal case, or a personal account written by someone in the criminal justice system. For assignments like these, you will generally be expected to describe the theory and its main components and to use the theory to explain specific situations and people’s behaviors and life choices.
You might be asked to analyze how discretionary theory applies to street-level policing.
You might critique a theory by comparing it with other theories that attempt to explain the same behaviors and choices.
Sometimes analytical papers conclude with program or policy recommendations based on the usefulness or persuasiveness of the theory.
Related topics:
Research papers
Argument or position papers
Investigative and administrative reports
Policy memos
Case briefs and legal briefs
Case plans (or case notes)