FACT SHEET: Overview and Requirements
A fact sheet is a one-page document (e.g., flyer) that contains the most relevant information about a topic.
The goal is to provide facts and key points in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand way. The fact sheet
should be graphically designed, not written like a paper. You should synthesize relevant course material,
your textbook, and outside research to describe a topic by presenting the most recent and pertinent
information.
The goal is to provide facts and key points in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand way. The fact sheet
should be graphically designed, not written like a paper. You should synthesize relevant course material,
your textbook, and outside research to describe a topic by presenting the most recent and pertinent
information.
Imagine you are handing your fact sheet to someone with limited, to no, knowledge about your selected
topic and you want them to quickly learn the most critical information. To do so effectively, you should
use brief, clear, and jargon-free language, and colors, shapes, or images to get your audiences’ attention.
topic and you want them to quickly learn the most critical information. To do so effectively, you should
use brief, clear, and jargon-free language, and colors, shapes, or images to get your audiences’ attention.
Topic:
You may select any criminal justice system-related topic. As you are selecting your topic, please keep the
requirements below in consideration to be sure that you can address each. A list of example topics is
below, however, you are not limited to one of these:
requirements below in consideration to be sure that you can address each. A list of example topics is
below, however, you are not limited to one of these:
Law enforcement
-closure rates
-use of technology
-use-of-force
Courts
-plea bargains
-pretrial detention/bail
-wrongful convictions
Corrections
-electronic monitoring
-solitary confinement
-substance abuse treatment
The following components must be included in your fact sheet:
(1) Description or overview of the topic (e.g., What is it? Why is it important?)
(2) Description of the relevant research
a. At least three reputable sources must be cited in a footnote at the very bottom of your fact
sheet or on a separate page (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, books, government reports)
a. At least three reputable sources must be cited in a footnote at the very bottom of your fact
sheet or on a separate page (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, books, government reports)
(3) Discussion of the impact
a. You must include at least one graph or table showing the impact, growth, or change of your topic
a. You must include at least one graph or table showing the impact, growth, or change of your topic
Additional requirements:
(1) Fact sheet must be graphically designed, not written like a paper
a. PowerPoint and Canva are programs that you may find helpful
a. PowerPoint and Canva are programs that you may find helpful
(2) Fact sheet must be submitted as a PDF document
The websites below have examples of fact sheets and additional helpful information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact_sheet
https://www.census.gov/library/fact-sheets.html
https://www.dhs.gov/news-releases/fact-sheets
https://www.prisonpolicy.org/factsheets.html
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fact-sheet-justice-involved-women-2016