The Death Penalty essay

Purpose: Write an exploratory essay using the following process:
1. Choose a specific social issue you can explore with an open mind.
2. Consider alternative views through exploring 3-4 relevant articles that make diverse
points.
3. Compose an essay that describes your investigative process and your insights based
on your exploration of the articles. (Note: This is not an argument essay. Instead, the
focus is on processing what you’re learning through research.)
Detailed Instructions: Your essay should consist of 3-3 ½ typed, double-spaced pages (not
counting your separate Works Cited page). Include these parts:
Title
 Catch the reader’s attention with a creative, relevant phrase.
 Avoid a too-general title (for instance, “Educational Standards” or “Gun Control”).
Introduction paragraph (no more than 10 lines)
 Begin with an attention-getting “hook.”
 Include a thesis statement that identifies the problem or issue to be explored.
Each body paragraph (3 or 4)
 In your first sentence, state the article title, the author’s full name, and the article’s main
idea.

The Death Penalty essay

 In the rest of the paragraph, mention 1-3 of the source’s important ideas and then explain
how each idea has influenced your thinking about the issue. Here are some ideas for
developing your body paragraphs:
– What does your reading make you realize about the issue?
– Based on your reading, what do you want to know more about to understand the
issue?
– What opinions from the article do you agree or disagree with? Use valid logic
and evidence to support your views.
 Important: Your discussion should acknowledge complicating factors. Don’t
oversimplify the issue.
 Also, don’t just do this: Mention an author’s idea and then go off the subject of that idea
to argue for your own opinion about the social issue. In other words, keep your
discussion connected to the article’s ideas.
Conclusion paragraph (no more than 12 lines)
 Avoid simply restating the research steps you took. Instead, explain your current thinking
about the problem or issue based on your research and consideration.
 If you like, you can also identify areas you’d want to research more to further your
understanding.

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