Writing for Law Enforcement
Published on 25. June 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-0-205-28389-7 (ISBN)
Description
Writing for Law Enforcement is the only book about effective writing directed specifically to the student of criminal justice and the law enforcement professional. It is intended to be used as a supplement or reference text for the array of courses offered in these departments. The underlying premise of the text recognizes that paperwork is commonly perceived as drudgery among law enforcement professionals, but that good writing is essential to building good cases and supporting of various legal actions. To that end, the text provides concise, practical chapters on conducting interviews, writing various kinds of investigative reports, writing several types of memos, taking essay exams, and giving oral presentations.
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Content
Preface.
1.Writing Techniques to Increase Learning.
A Question of Attitude: Writing for the Yourself.
Writing and Memory: Taking Good Notes.
Writing to Improve Reading: Marginal and Final Comments.
Writing to Improve Reading: Keeping the Reading Response Log.
Writing to Improve Observations.
Writing to Experiment with Style and Format.
Going Public. From Writing for Yourself to Writing for Others.
2.The Writing Process: Predrafting, Drafting, Revising, Editing.
General Principles, but No Single Formula.
"Prewriting" and Data Collection.
Drafting: A Change in Attitude.
Planning the Draft: The Three Keys.
Effective Revision.
Editing the Revised Draft.
3.Writing Investigative Reports: Conducting Research.
Prologue: The Need for a New Perception.
Writing: Real Police Work.
Purpose and Style in Investigative Reporting.
The Interview.
4.Writing Investigative Reports: Predrafting Considerations.
The Importance of Written Reports.
Predrafting/Preparation.
Getting Started.
5.Writing Investigative Reports: Format.
Selecting from the Case File.
Arranging the Documents.
Other Tips for Writing Component Parts of Reports.
Three Issues: Relevance, Order, Lists.
Obtaining Feedback on Drafts.
6.Writing Investigative Reports: Pitfalls.
Policespeak.
Tactical Talk.
Wordiness.
Jargon.
Prejudices.
Assumptions.
Judgments.
Misuse of Quotes.
7.Writing Memos.
The Need for Strong Internal Communication.
Memo Format.
Purposes/Types of Memos.
Adopting a Point of View.
8.Oral Presentations.
Written Preparation for the Talk.
Scripting the Talk.
Reading Your Talk.
Further Sources We Suggest.
9.Taking Exams.
Multiple-Choice Exams, Tests, and Quizzes.
Writing Short, Timed Responses: The PRO Method.
Writing Timed Essays.
10.Finding and Citing Sources for Research.
Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Bibliography.
Citing Sources Using APA (American Psychological Association) Style.
Index.
1.Writing Techniques to Increase Learning.
A Question of Attitude: Writing for the Yourself.
Writing and Memory: Taking Good Notes.
Writing to Improve Reading: Marginal and Final Comments.
Writing to Improve Reading: Keeping the Reading Response Log.
Writing to Improve Observations.
Writing to Experiment with Style and Format.
Going Public. From Writing for Yourself to Writing for Others.
2.The Writing Process: Predrafting, Drafting, Revising, Editing.
General Principles, but No Single Formula.
"Prewriting" and Data Collection.
Drafting: A Change in Attitude.
Planning the Draft: The Three Keys.
Effective Revision.
Editing the Revised Draft.
3.Writing Investigative Reports: Conducting Research.
Prologue: The Need for a New Perception.
Writing: Real Police Work.
Purpose and Style in Investigative Reporting.
The Interview.
4.Writing Investigative Reports: Predrafting Considerations.
The Importance of Written Reports.
Predrafting/Preparation.
Getting Started.
5.Writing Investigative Reports: Format.
Selecting from the Case File.
Arranging the Documents.
Other Tips for Writing Component Parts of Reports.
Three Issues: Relevance, Order, Lists.
Obtaining Feedback on Drafts.
6.Writing Investigative Reports: Pitfalls.
Policespeak.
Tactical Talk.
Wordiness.
Jargon.
Prejudices.
Assumptions.
Judgments.
Misuse of Quotes.
7.Writing Memos.
The Need for Strong Internal Communication.
Memo Format.
Purposes/Types of Memos.
Adopting a Point of View.
8.Oral Presentations.
Written Preparation for the Talk.
Scripting the Talk.
Reading Your Talk.
Further Sources We Suggest.
9.Taking Exams.
Multiple-Choice Exams, Tests, and Quizzes.
Writing Short, Timed Responses: The PRO Method.
Writing Timed Essays.
10.Finding and Citing Sources for Research.
Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Bibliography.
Citing Sources Using APA (American Psychological Association) Style.
Index.