Persuasive Essay

Purpose: Write a persuasive essay that requires you to substantially research the subject you are discussing.
Since this paper is an argument, you will be expected to choose a clear position on the issue; you may not
straddle the fence. To help force yourself to choose, pretend that you are a legislator or someone else in
authority, who, out of fairness, investigates both sides but then must vote one way or the other. Your paper
should primarily appeal to reason, although you may include ethical and emotional appeals if appropriate.
While most of the essay should support your position on the issue, you must also identify opposing arguments
and refute them, as part of constructing an informed and strong case.
The topic for this assignment will be the death penalty. I’ve provided you with an article and a statistics
sheet up front and you may use these two items for two of your sources, which means you will still need to
seek out at least two other sources for your paper (You need a total of four sources). You are not required to
use these two sources for your paper, but they are there to get you jump-started. This is a highly controversial
topic and you will need to argue a side. Keep in mind that Texas, as a state, is for the death penalty: How
does that affect your views on the death penalty? Of course, you don t need to address this fact, but being a
Texan may be an interesting angle in the context of your paper.
*As the professor of this course, I represent an objective entity. I respect both sides of this issue and I want
you to know that whatever your opinion/argument is on this matter, I will read it in a non-judgmental manner.
Write fearlessly! Persuade me!
Audience: Using the rules of standard written English and a formal tone, address the essay to an audience of
educated adults. Expect to add value to your presentation of the subject by sharing unique insights and
juxtaposing ideas in an interesting manner. This essay is formal, so you should NOT use first-person
pronouns (except in the introduction and conclusion if you have a personal experience to share) nor secondperson pronouns.
Format: Your paper should be 1500 words in length at the bare minimum, not including the works cited
page. Do not use a title page.
If you are found to have plagiarized your paper from any source(s), you will receive an automatic
grade of F for the paper.
This paper is due Friday, March 6 by 11:59 p.m.