have to do 3 pt thesis(sigh) essay on a topic with 1800 words.
I chose to be against the death penalty. The 3 points i have are inefficient court proceedings, wrongful convictions, and immorality.
for court proceedings:
I can elaborate on how the appeal system clogs the courts and wastes everyone's time
Refute the common argument that paying for someone to live a life in prison is expensive with the costs of these proceedings
statistics
no idea where to go from there.
for wrongful convictions:
I can explain in further detail why a wrongful conviction when someone's life is at stake is wrong
I can then get into prejudice, etc.
statistics
No idea where to go from there as well though :(
I really worry that I wont be able to hit the word limit and it's due midnight tonight. If I can't hit it there's no changing topics. I'm not too worried about elaborating on morality, but if anyone can spread more ideas on those other two points I would be grateful
Argumentative essay on death penalty?
1800 words isn't a very high limit to reach, there's 300 in this answer! ;)
Things I think about in writing to %26quot;argue%26quot;...
Remember not to rant.
Make sure the argument is well planned, organised and follows a naturally convincing order.
Establish some common ground between you and the reader...appeal to the reader's character and sense of reason. (' Like you, I too feel a sense of horror and repulsion at what is happening here but...' )
Don't be afraid to sneak in a made up personal anecdote to gain pathos...facts and figures don't have to be accurate...just believable. Presuming this is for an English class, you're going for writing effect not factual accuracy.
Remember for each point you are arguing for, state the opposite view to the stand that you are taking first, then undermine it with your argument.
Work in some technical effects...
1. Rhetorical question
Can we really expect the school to keep paying from its limited resources?
2. Emotive language
Imagine being cast out into the street, cold, lonely and frightened.
3. Parallel structures
To show kindness is praiseworthy; to show hatred is evil.
4. Sound patterns
Alliteration: Callous, calculating cruelty 鈥?is this what we must expect?
Assonance: A fine time we all had, too.
5. Contrast
Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.
6. Description and Imagery (i.e. using metaphor, simile and personification)
While we wait and do nothing, we must not forget that the fuse is already burning.
7. The 鈥榬ule of three鈥?br>
I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just?
8. Repetition
Evil minds will use evil means.
9. Hyperbole (using exaggeration for effect)
While we await your decision, the whole school holds its breath.
10. Anecdote (as mentioned earlier)
There's some real mark grabbers there if you can work some of those into your essay.
