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Northern Essex Community College

Module 6 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

This assignment emphasizes inmate voices by requiring students to engage with primary sources written by incarcerated individuals. Students will select a volume from the American Prison Newspapers collection and critically analyze how the writings shape perceptions of inmates as individuals rather than merely as offenders.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Summarize inmate perspectives expressed in prison newspapers and identify their broader sociological significance. (SLO2)
  • LO2: Evaluate how inmate-authored works humanize offenders and challenge stereotypes about incarceration. (SLO7)
Assignment Topic
  • Visit American Prison Newspapers. Select any volume and summarize each article or story.
  • Reflect on whether these writings changed, confirmed, or challenged your perception of inmates as more than ‘simple criminals.’
Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • Summarize the main arguments or themes from this prison newspaper volume in accessible language.
  • Identify recurring social or political themes in inmate writing that connect to larger issues of incarceration.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be a minimum of [insert word/page count] and a maximum of [insert word/page count].
  • Use clear organization, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
  • Support your ideas with [course materials, examples, data, or experiences] as appropriate.
  • Follow [APA, MLA, Chicago, or other required format] guidelines if applicable.
  • Proofread your work for clarity, grammar, and overall quality before submission.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in [accepted format: Word, PDF, etc.].
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.