Assingments % - Substantial Legal Research: This requires deep analysis and understanding of case law, state statutes, and academic sources

THESIS/ULW Requirements Generally
Each student must complete a substantial paper that, in the judgment of the reviewing professor:
Reflects substantial, thorough legal research;
Describes the status of the existing law;
Reflects competent clarity, organization, style, editing, and citation; and
Includes substantial, original, and competent analysis that evaluates the law and contributes to the discipline (e.g., a scholarly article, an amicus brief, or a practitioner’s guide, etc.).
Other Requirements
In addition to the above requirements:
The document must be no less than 5,000 words of text, exclusive of footnotes and endnotes; the paper requires at least 25 citations. The Citations should be in “bluebook” style.
The course is a constitutional law course.
In my rough draft/outline of the paper the professor provided feedback such as needing better citations, such as case law, state statutes, and academic sources. I also did not put any footnotes in my paper but tried to organize the sources at the bottom that i used in relation to the structure of the paper. for example sources under 1 used for body under 1. Additionally, the professor suggested to narrow the scope of my paper “You are out hunting the dog”.
Perhaps it is possible to include a 14th amendment equal protection or privileges and immunities analysis. I hope that helps.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

To address your professor’s feedback and ensure that your paper aligns with the required standards, here’s a step-by-step guide to refine your thesis/ULW paper for your constitutional law course.

1. Understanding the Thesis/ULW Paper Requirements

Your paper must meet the following criteria:

Substantial Legal Research: This requires deep analysis and understanding of case law, state statutes, and academic sources.
Current Status of the Law: Clearly state and explain the existing legal framework on the issue at hand.
Clarity, Organization, and Citation: Ensure that your paper is clearly organized, professionally written, and uses proper citation (Bluebook style).
Original Analysis: Include critical analysis and your own evaluation of the law—this should contribute to the legal discipline.

2. Addressing the Feedback: Citations and Footnotes

Your professor’s feedback emphasized the need for stronger citations and footnotes. Here’s how to incorporate them:

Citations

Case Law: Go back to your legal research and ensure that you include landmark cases that are relevant to your topic. Each major point or legal proposition should be backed up by case law to show the current standing of the law.
State Statutes: When referring to specific state laws, cite the relevant statutes. These should be current and applicable to the topic you’re discussing.
Academic Sources: Reference reputable academic journals, books, and articles to provide scholarly depth and credibility. Consider using articles that analyze constitutional law, the issue you are addressing, or judicial trends.

Footnotes

Unlike an organized bibliography or reference list at the end, footnotes should appear at the bottom of each page when you reference a source within the text. This keeps your paper clean and allows your reader to easily verify the sources used.
Each footnote should contain full citation details, including case name, volume number, and page number (for case law), statute name and section (for state laws), and publication details (for academic articles).

3. Narrowing the Scope

Your professor’s comment, “You are out hunting the dog,” suggests that the topic may be too broad. To narrow the scope:

Choose a Specific Issue: Instead of tackling a wide aspect of constitutional law, focus on one specific issue or case. For example, if your topic is about “freedom of speech,” narrow it down to something specific, like “freedom of speech on social media platforms.”
Concentrate on Jurisprudence: Instead of discussing all aspects of a constitutional principle, concentrate on the way specific courts (e.g., Supreme Court) have handled cases related to your chosen issue.
Consider Time Periods: If relevant, you can narrow your focus to a specific era of constitutional law or the interpretation of a specific clause over time.

4. Organizing the Paper: Structure and Outline

Following a clear structure is key to producing a competent paper. Here’s a general outline to follow:

Introduction

Briefly introduce the topic.
Clearly state the thesis or central argument of the paper.
Mention the legal questions and framework that will be discussed.

Part I: Status of Existing Law

Provide a comprehensive overview of the current legal landscape, including case law and statutes.
Identify the relevant constitutional principles, historical context, and how they have evolved.

Part II: Legal Analysis

Critically analyze the law: How have courts interpreted and applied the law?
Discuss any areas of ambiguity or differing opinions in the legal community.
Evaluate how the law has developed and whether it requires reform.

Part III: Implications and Scholarly Contributions

Evaluate the practical implications of the existing law on citizens, society, or government institutions.
Discuss any scholarly viewpoints or debates surrounding the topic.
Provide original commentary on how the law could be improved or how it might evolve.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points made in your paper.
Reiterate the significance of your analysis.
Conclude with recommendations or considerations for future legal developments.

5. Bluebook Citation Format

Since your paper requires Bluebook citations, here’s how to format them:

Cases: Case Name, Volume Reporter Page (Court Year). Example: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
Statutes: Name of the Act, Title U.S.C. Section (Year). Example: Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2 (1964).
Academic Articles: Author, Title of the Article, Volume Number Journal Name Page Number (Year). Example: John Doe, The Evolution of Constitutional Law, 45 Harvard Law Review 210 (2019).

6. Final Review and Submission

Word Count: Ensure your paper is at least 5,000 words, exclusive of footnotes and endnotes.
Citations: Check that you have at least 25 citations from case law, state statutes, and academic sources. Ensure all are properly formatted in Bluebook style.
Proofreading: Edit your paper for clarity, grammar, and style. Ensure your paper is well-organized and readable.
Footnotes: Add footnotes for each source reference in the text.

By following these steps, you’ll improve your paper and meet your professor’s expectations. Keep refining your thesis and analysis, and make sure that your citations and footnotes are accurately applied. Good luck!