Writing A Persuasive Essay About Capital Punishment: Basic Tips

Persuasive essay writing can be easily confused with argumentative styles. The former requires the writer to be convincing so that if the piece is successfully written, the reader ends up either better appreciating or fully accepting the proffered view. Argumentative essays, the latter, simply present two opposing points in the most accurate way possible free of subjectivity.

There are many good topics for the writer who aims to persuade and one of the nice challenging ones is capital punishment. If you choose to attempt it, keep these tips in mind:

Understand what the term really means

The term capital punishment refers to the use of the death penalty as punishment for a crime committed. I is different from murder because in countries where it is legal it is sanctioned by the courts. It is sometimes called execution but that word is also sometimes used for illegal killings done by rogue elements, gang members etc. It may sound like corporal punishment and the two terms are related but corporal punishment involves the use of any physical means to inflict punishment. This includes flogging, whipping and caning.

Look for historical precedents

The death penalty has existed in some form for about as long as mankind has. Look for the oldest precedents and see how they are reflected in modern practice.

Compare the statistics on the death penalty and crime reduction

Very often people who support inmates being put to death say they hold this view because it will deter future criminals from taking a similar path. This may feel true but the facts do not necessarily support it. See for yourself if there is any real correlation.

Look for the percentage of wrongful executions

Another very important piece of information relates to the number of people who end up on death row for crimes they have never committed and actually end up being killed by mistake. This is a statistic that anti capital punishment activists will often use.

Polish your essay writing skills

Any type of essay looks better is your writing is of a better quality. Practice until you feel ready to attempt this essay successfully.

There are other factors to consider here including the relative costs of executing criminals most likely beyond rehabilitation rather than feeding them for the remainder of a life sentence. Like most moral dilemmas, there is no easy answer.