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Discussion Post Guide

A guide to writing and responding to discussion posts.

First Post

What should I include in my first post?

Your first post is your initial response to the main question of the discussion board. This question is usually asked by your instructor, but can also be asked by anyone leading the group instruction.  

  1. Answer the Question: Do this first if possible. Provide a clear answer to the question in your own words.
  2. Give Evidence: Provide an explanation for your point of view using evidence from your text, notes, and outside research (if approved by your instructor) to support your point. Remember to use authoritative sources to give your argument credibility!
  3. Explain the connection: Be sure to describe how your evidence proves your point. Don't assume the connection is obvious.  

Your first post can also introduce a question or idea that others can follow up on. This can help other students better understand your position and form a better response of their own.

Example First Post

Instructor Question: Proponents for private prisons claim that prisons using a profit as a driving force will allow for better funded prison services.  Do you agree with this claim, why or why not?

Whiting, Chase. "Constitutional bases to retroactively alter private prison contracts." American Criminal Law Review, Winter 2017, p. 339+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A489256671/OVIC?u=txshracd2801&sid=OVIC&xid=918f61fb. Accessed 29 Oct. 2019.

In answer to the question "do for-profit prisons lead to better funded prison services" I would say no.  Whiting (2017) shows that private prisons cut spending to bare bones services, offering only what is legally required by the state contract to increase profit.  These cuts stymie prisoner rehabilitation and incapacitation, often leaving prisoners in overcrowded prisons with no means of supporting themselves when they are released. As prisons are required by their contract with the state to maintain a specific number of prisoners in their facilities, there is no profit in insuring the prisoners have services that will aid them in their rehabilitation, ensuring that they are in danger of becoming repeat offenders.  This renders these private prisons to act more like a revolving door whose only purpose is to hold prisoners as long as possible with no rehabilitation at added cost to the taxpayer.

After looking over the article, I have to wonder that if private prisons end up costing the state and taxpayers more as well as severely reducing the amount of services available for rehabilitation, then who do the private prisons really profit?

Follow Up Post

What should I include in a follow-up post?

Remember!  You are adding TO the discussion, not simply agreeing or disagreeing.  

Explain why you agree or disagree and offer your own supporting points and evidence. 

Make sure to use the same three parts as your first post!

  1. Answer the Question: Do this first if possible.  Provide a clear answer to the question in your own words.
  2. Give Evidence: Provide an explanation for your point of view using evidence from your text, notes, and outside research (if approved by your instructor) to support your point.  Remember to use authoritative sources to give your argument credibility!
  3. Explain the connection: Be sure to describe  how your evidence proves your point.  Don't assume the connection is obvious.  

Example Follow-up Post

Magee, Brian. "The Private Prison System Is Dysfunctional and Cruel." America's Prisons, edited by Jack Lasky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010108436/OVIC?u=txshracd2801&sid=OVIC&xid=2be0c703. Accessed 29 Oct. 2019. Originally published as "The Greed of Private Prisons,", Aug. 2012.

I agree with your point that for-profit prisons doesn’t ensure that those profits are reinvested in prison services. I wasn’t surprised by Whiting’s findings as it just makes sense that without state regulation beyond mandating numbers of prisoners in beds, there’s no further motivation to help prisoners find work after release through rehabilitation. Magee (2016) shows that this problem has very real implications as a Pennsylvanian judge was given 17 years in prison for sentencing juveniles to a private facility in a ‘cash for kids’ scandal. It seems that the only drive for “for-profit prisons” is right in the name.

Discussion Board Dos and Don'ts

Do!

  • Log into the discussion regularly. This will ensure that you have plenty of options when it comes to replying.
  • Keep on topic!  Make sure your posts and responses are relevant to the conversation.
  • Use information from your course notes and related texts to support your postings. Provide solid evidence of your argument to back up your claims.
  • Paraphrase rather than quote unless the wording is unique or special.
  • Cite your sources!
  • Present yourself professionally. Avoid using ALL CAPS, textspeak, emoticons, and slang.
  • Try to refer to what others have said when you are writing your posts.  
  • Try reading your posts aloud before you post. This will help you catch errors and typos.

Don't!

  • Post empty comments like "I agree" or "Great point". This doesn't provide new information or expand on the author's point (and your instructor likely will not count is as a response.)
  • Don't respond emotionally to what others said. Respond to the ideas and argument, not the person.