First, 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 jumpstarted. 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 second-person 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.

The completed paper accounts for 25% of your grade in the course. 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 Sunday, October 21 by 11:59 p.m.

Second,For Discussion 5, I want you to tell us which side you will be taking for this paper. And, I want you to briefly discuss ONE source that you will be using in your paper and why you believe that source is important to your argument.

This post is due October 12.