The death penalty

Hi! Margins are set at 1 inch for top, bottom, left, and right. The first line of each paragraph is indented a half inch (0.5"). The line spacing is double throughout the paper, even on the reference page. The font style used in this template is Times New Roman. The font size is 12. This essay is a persuasive essay, 500-750 words and APA style. The reference list should appear at the end of a paper. Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your reference list; likewise, each entry in the reference list must be cited in your text. Reference notes are formatted using a hanging indent of a half inch (0.5").

Persuasive Essay: Outline Worksheet

Review “How Do I Organize My Brainstorm into an Outline?” in “The Writing Process” Media piece.

Assignment Directions:

Use the Persuasive Essay Outline on the next page to outline your persuasive essay by completing the following:

1)      Use the feedback you received from your instructor to revise your thesis statement.

a)      Write your thesis as a complete sentence (as you would in your essay) in the “Thesis Sentence” section under the Introductory Paragraph heading in the outline below.

2)      Create a topic sentence for each of the three paragraphs that comprise the body of your essay.

a)      Record the topic sentences in each of the “Topic Sentence” sections under the “Support for Thesis” headings in the outline below.

b)      Your topic sentences should support your thesis and provide transitions between the paragraphs.

3)      Write at least three details for each topic sentence.

a)      These details should provide support for the topic sentence. (Review the example outline below)

4)      Write a concluding sentence under the “Conclusion” heading in the outline below.

a)      Your concluding sentence should be your thesis restated in different words.

Example

Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Sentence: Earning a degree online is great for working adults because it is convenient, economical, and allows them to learn with other working adults around the world.

Support for Thesis 1

Topic Sentence: Online learning is convenient. 

1. A.    Detail A: You can study and learn from home. 
2. B.     Detail B: It is easier to balance work-life obligations.
3. C.    Detail C: You can attend class any time you would like.

Persuasive Essay Outline

Introductory Paragraph

Thesis Sentence: The death penalty is a justification of punishment; it provides justice to the victim’s and their families, as well as upholding the biblical verses supporting that cause.

Support for Thesis 1

Topic Sentence: The death penalty is a justification of punishment

Detail A: utilize the deterrence theory as psychological benefit

Detail B:

Detail C:

Support for Thesis 2

Topic Sentence: The death penalty provides justice to the victim’s and their families

Detail A: Justice should be served to fit the crime committed

Detail B: Execution brings closure for the victim's family, while providing the ultimate punishment to the murderer(s)

Detail C:  The execution provides the victims’ families with front row retribution access           

Support for Thesis 3

Topic Sentence: The death penalty is justified in biblical versus

Detail A: Genesis 9:6; “If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands.”

Detail B: Revelation 13:10; “Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.”

Detail C: Deuteronomy 19:11-13; “But suppose someone is hostile toward a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders him and then flees to one of the cities of refuge. In that case, the elders of the murderer’s hometown must send agents to the city of refuge to bring him back and hand him over to the dead person’s avenger to be put to death. Do not feel sorry for that murderer! Purge from Israel the guilt of murdering innocent people; then all will go well with you.”

Conclusion

Thesis Sentence (restated in different words):

The death penalty needs to remain legal to continue to provide civility to society. The death penalty saves lives, it will provide justice to victims and their families, and honor the verses in the bible pertaining to the death penalty.

Grading Criteria

Consider the following criteria when developing the outline for your essay. These criteria will be applied when this assignment is graded. 

1)      Outline contains a thesis statement.                                                                  

2)      Outline contains a topic sentence for each of the three paragraphs of the body of the essay.

3)      Transitions between paragraphs are evident and appropriate.                                      

4)      Contains three details for each topic sentence; details provide support of the related topic sentence.

5)      Outline contains concluding sentence, which restates the thesis in different words.