Author: Evergreen User
Company: Evergreen Public Schools

Introduction

The United States has decided to send the message that killing is wrong by killing killers.  

Hook 					
(catch the reader’s interest)

The death penalty divides many Americans.  Many feel the ultimate price must be paid for the ultimate crime,
murder.  Others feel it is the height of hypocrisy to kill a person in a civilized country that holds human rights in high regard.

Background Information
(explain what the controversy is)

The United States is the champion of human and individual rights, taking human life does not serve that 
ideal.  America is also a country of laws and justice, when an individual breaks those laws there must be justice.
Also a society must be protected against those individuals that are deemed dangerous.

Common Good vs Individual Rights
(how your position balances the two)

There is nothing more cruel than taking a human life therefore the United States must abolish the death penalty if it is to be the true leader in human rights.  

Thesis
(the topic and your position statement)
							Body

The Eighth Amendments states, “there shall be no cruel and unusual punishment.”

Constitutional Evidence #1
(state the part of the Constitution 
you are using)

The death penalty defines what it means to use cruel and unusual punishment.  The Eighth Amendment 
is being violated when capital punishment is invoked.

Explain 
(what it says and what it means, interpreted)
(is there a democratic ideal which can be related)

A civilized and democratic country must abolish an act that clearly violates its foundational ideals as laid out in the U.S. Constitution.   

Analysis 
(relate it back to your opinion)
(how does this support your opinion)

Constitutional Evidence #2
(state the part of the Constitution  you are using)

Explanation
(what it says and what it means, interpreted)
(is there a democratic ideal which can be related)

Analysis 
(relate it back to your opinion)
(how does this support your opinion)

In the case Smith v the State of Washington the court found that was state was violating Mrs. Smith’s 
constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment by sentencing her to death. 

Court Case or Law
(state the case or law which supports you opinion)

Mrs. Smith’s appealed her death sentence on the grounds that capital punishment is unconstitutional.  The
Supreme Court overturned the State of Washington’s ruling and agreed that the death penalty is cruel and
unusual punishment. 

Explanation
(what the court case was about; what was the 
outcome or what the law states and its purpose)

Analysis
(relate it back to your topic)

A number of Americans feel one must pay the ultimate price for the ultimate crime.  

Opposing Viewpoint
(state the opposite of what you believe)

They believe the only way to keep society safe from its most dangerous citizens is to execute them.  

Explanation
(give reasons why others would have this opinion)

By killing individuals in our society we are completely devaluing the human being which is at 
the center of our belief system in America

Refute the Opposition
(respond to the opposition’s reasons and
explain why you think those reasons are wrong)
						Conclusion
Summary of ideas
(restate some key points)

Restate thesis
(your position)

Advocate for your Position
(what you can do as a citizen to further the cause)