Paper Project Tips and Feedback

by John Bandler

These are tips for courses I teach. If you're not in one of my courses, this probably won't apply to you.

See these tips before you submit, for whatever stage of the process you are in.

I provide lots of instructions to students on the submission process, both in class, in writing, in my videos, and in the templates. These tips are already somewhere, I consolidated some of the most important ones here. These are also my most frequent feedback points.

Research

Research steps 1 and 2

1. Start research in the coursebook: read and cite to the relevant chapters you are relying upon.

2. Then see what the coursebook cites to, including footnotes, chapter references, compiled for you within my course resources for each chapter, starting at https://johnbandler.com/cyberlawbook-resources/. Read those cited references and cite for your paper too.

Research steps 3 to infinity

Then your research can expand after that to anything and everything that is reliable and credible. But first make sure you did step 1, then step 2.

Writing - the Title

The title should clearly indicate the subject of the paper (don't be cute or clever).

The title and subject of the paper should relate to the course, incorporating logical keywords.

The title of the paper should involve key components of the course (e.g., "cyber", "law", etc.)

Writing - the Introduction

Use the introduction to introduce your paper and what it will cover (don't use the introduction to explain or introduce generalized concepts).

Your introduction can have a hint of conclusion.

Your introduction should not get too far into the weeds or details. Try write so that you can avoid many statistics, multiple citations, etc.

Paper points - proposing a solution

Be careful not to propose a solution or new law unless and until you have first mastered what the law currently is, and have covered it previously

Be careful before you assert "the law is behind" and the "law needs to catch up". First make sure you have first mastered what the law currently is and how it can be applied to this area. And make sure you understand how laws are created, by which entities, and who they apply to.

Writing - the Conclusion

The conclusion should conclude the paper. It should not break new ground, raise new points, or cite new authorities.

References

Your submission needs a references section, with a running list of all your relevant references, even if you cited them previously.

Reflection

Your submission needs a reflection section, with a running list of all your consultations, even if you provided them previously.

Remember to see someone at the writing center and library. That is mandatory (not optional).

Conclusion of my Web Article

These tips can help you before you submit, and help me to give you feedback after you submit.

The further along you are when you submit, the further I can help you to go, the better your learning.

Additional Reading & Learning

Page posted 12/20/2025. Last Updated 12/20/2025.