Introductory paragraph –
hook: in 2019, statistic shows that California has more than 400 death row inmates, one of the highest in all 50 U.S. states.
Leading information for the thesis statement: this statistic reveals a particular truth about the death penalty issue: whether be it Thane Rosenbaum’s argument for an eye of an eye or Justin Smith’s counterargument of bloodshed not exactly effective in our legal system in terms of providing justice for the surviving family members, there’s really little to no affirmation or worthiness, which demands better reform or re-structuring of the legal infrastructure system.
Thesis: your unique viewpoint about the capital punishment controversy: a large amount of capital and human resources we pour into maintaining the death penalty or capital punishment is absurd and does not serve any major purposes except for maintaining and perpetuating capitalist ideologies; the politics and bureaucracy behind this system are too real, but we must confront them.
Provide a solid analysis of Rosenbaum’s argument
His conclusion:
Major premise 1
Supporting point – apply terms/concept from the textbook (generalization or analogy or causal)
Supporting point – is this method of argument successful? How do you know?
Major premise 2
Supporting point
Supporting point
Major premise 3
Supporting point
Supporting point
Strength
Weakness
Smith’s argument
His conclusion:
Major premise 1
Supporting point
Supporting point
Major premise 2
Supporting point
Supporting point
Strength
Deductive pattern:
Inductive pattern: generalization, analogy,
Weakness
What fallacy –
How do I know this fallacy works to create this weakness –
How does this weakness weaken the argument as a whole
My stance or unique viewpoint –
Support this with additional research (article, video, statistics/infographics)
More support an explanation
What exactly is the truth (according to you) about this issue?
Where does it stand as we speak in this day and age?
Conclusion – how do both arguments (Rosenbaum’s and Smith’s) affect your viewpoint
How does additional research help inform (bolster or reshape) your viewpoint
What might the reader take away from your analysis and unique viewpoint of this issue?
Essay 6 (we will begin around Week 11) is like Essay 4, except you will be using academic/scholarly sources from a database like Opposing Viewpoints.
Regular academic articles do not need to be peer-reviewed.
A peer-reviewed academic article will be challenging to read: such an article has already gone through the rigorous peer-review process – targeted audience is primarily other experts, and professionals in the same field, i.e. doctors writing to other doctors.
Works Cited
final draft on top, followed by the works cited page, and then your outline.
