how to write a thesis statement on the death penalty

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Death Penalty Essay Introduction — a Quick Guide

Table of Contents

The death penalty is a state-sanctioned practice where an individual is executed for an offense punishable through such means. Death penalty essay is a common topic given to students where the essay writer argues this controversial issue and takes a stand. The death penalty essay intro consists of the opening sentence, the background information, and the thesis statement.

Writing a compelling introduction isn’t easy. But with the tips and examples in this guide, you’ll be able to write a captivating introduction.

What Is a Death Penalty Essay?

The death penalty is the practice of executing a person guilty of capital murder, a crime in which the loss of life is intentional. This method of punishment has been around for as long as human civilization.

The death penalty has been controversial for a long time, with people on both sides of the fence. Supporters claim it works to deter crime, but there is no evidence to prove it. Opposers claim it is cruel and is not the best way to serve justice. 

A death penalty essay argues for or against the death penalty. This essay topic is a typical assignment given to college students. Common death penalty essay topics are as follows:

• About the Death Penalty
• Does the Death Penalty effectively deter crime?
• The Death Penalty should not be legal
• The Death Penalty should be abolished.
• Death Penalty and Justice
• Pro-Death Penalty
• Is the Death Penalty Morally Right?
• Death Penalty is Immoral
• Religious Values and Death Penalty
• Ineffectiveness of Death Penalty
• Punishment and the Nature of the Crime
• The Death Penalty and Juveniles.
• Is the Death Penalty Effective?
• The Death Penalty is Politically Just
• The Death Penalty: Right or Wrong?
• Abolishment of the Death Penalty
• The Death Penalty and People’s Opinions
• Is Death Penalty Humane?

How to Write an Interesting Death Penalty Essay Intro

Like other essays, the death penalty essay intro comprises three parts. The hook, a strong opening sentence, grips the reader, sparks their curiosity, and compels them to read the rest of the piece.

Subsequent sentences provide background information on the topic and define the argument’s terms. The last part is the thesis statement, which summarizes the central focus of the essay.

1. the Opening Sentence/Hook

The hook is a statement that grips the reader’s attention and makes them want to read on . The hook should be an exciting statement that sparks the readers’ curiosity, and sets the tone for the essay. It should give an overview of the topic. You could begin with a thought-provoking question, an interesting quote, an exciting anecdote, or a shocking statistic or fact. 

2. Background Information

Provide more information about the subject you are discussing. Create context and give background information on the topic. It could be a social or historical context. Define key terms that the reader might find confusing and clearly but concisely state why the issue is important.

3. Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the overarching idea – the central focus of the essay. It summarizes the idea that you’ll be explaining throughout the entirety of the piece. Once this statement has been established, you’ll smoothly transition into the main body of your essay. Make the thesis clear and concise. 

Death Penalty Essay Introduction Example

Does the death penalty deter crime, especially murder? The death penalty has been controversial for years. Over the years, public opinion about the death penalty seems to have changed. But there are still people who think it is a proper punishment. I have heard the phrase “An eye for an eye” most of my life. Most people firmly believe that if a criminal took someone’s life, their lives should be taken away too. But I don’t think that will discourage anyone from committing crimes. I believe that the criminal should be given a lighter punishment. 

The death penalty or capital punishment is the execution of a criminal by a government as punishment for a crime. In the United States, the death penalty is the most common form of sentence in murder cases.

A death penalty essay argues for or against the death penalty. The essay introduction begins with an attention-grabber , followed by background information on the topic and then the thesis statement.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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84 Capital Punishment Essay Topics & Examples

If you’ve looked for capital punishment essay topics, you’re in luck! Below, our experts have collected some death penalty title ideas and samples for your paper.

📝 Capital Punishment Essay Writing Tips

✔️ top death penalty title ideas, 🏆 best death penalty essay titles & examples, 💡 most interesting death penalty topics to write about, ❓ capital punishment research questions.

Capital punishment has been a debatable issue for decades. Some people believe that the death penalty plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system, while others think that this procedure is highly unethical.

An essay on capital punishment may be a challenging assignment because students should know much about the subject. Do not worry, we have got you covered! Read this article until the end and learn some important tips on writing capital punishment essays.

Start with choosing the subject for your paper. Here are some capital punishment essay topics that you can use:

• Capital punishment in the media
• Crime and punishment in today’s world: Death penalty
• Capital punishment essay: Arguments against death penalty
• The legal and ethical implications of capital punishment
• Capital punishment should be forbidden: Anti-death penalty arguments
• Why capital punishment may target the poor
• Death penalty: An issue of life and death

Remember that these are just examples of topics and titles for your paper. You can choose any related capital punishment essay titles. Once you have selected a topic of your essay, you can start working on the assignment. Here are the key points you should use to write an outstanding essay:

• Study the subject thoroughly. Use reliable sources to analyze the legal and ethical aspects of the death penalty. Select the sources you will use in the paper and remember that they should be credible.
• A well-developed outline is key. Make sure that your paper includes an introduction, a conclusion, and several body paragraphs.
• If you are not sure about the structure of your paper, check out essays online to see how they are organized. This step can also help you to see whether the selected problem is relevant. Remember that you should avoid copying the information you will find online. Plagiarism will make your essay look unreliable and get you a bad grade.
• Remember that you should present your capital punishment essay thesis in the last sentence of your introductory paragraph. Hint: Start working on your introductory paragraph after you research the subject. It will help you to present the background information correctly.
• Identify the goals of your paper clearly. Do you want to prove your point or provide insight on the issue? Answer these questions before starting to work on your assignment.
• Define capital punishment. You can discuss its legal implications, its prevalence in different countries, and the offenses that can potentially lead to a death penalty.
• When working on an opinion piece, state your viewpoint clearly. Do you think that all countries should legalize death penalties? Do you believe that capital punishment is unethical? Do some offenders deserve a death penalty more than others do? Answer these questions in detail.
• Remember that the purpose of your paper should be to help the reader understand capital punishment better. Your essay should motivate the audience to develop an opinion about the subject.
• Always support your arguments with evidence. Cite articles in an appropriate style (MLA, APA, Harvard, or other). The best type of sources for your paper is peer-reviewed articles and other scholarly publications.
• Restate your arguments and the thesis in a concluding section. Provide a summary of your findings along with recommendations for future research.

Need more ideas for your essay? Check out our free samples on the website!

• Why should the death penalty be abolished?
• What are some unusual punishments for crimes?
• Can the death penalty be compared to killing in cold blood?
• Is life imprisonment more just than the death penalty?
• Reasons to criticize capital punishment in China.
• Analyzing A Descending Spiral by Marc Bookman.
• What are the pros of capital punishment?
• Executing the innocent people: the issue of mistake.
• Abolishing the death penalty in Texas.
• Serial killers sentenced to capital punishment.
• Death Penalty: Utilitarian View on Capital Punishment Another significant benefit offered by the death penalty to the society is that it leads to the permanent incapacitation of the convicted person.
• Capital Punishment in the UK Should be Reintroduced? ‘Capital Punishment’ or the ‘Death Penalty’ is the judicially ordered, lawful infliction of death as a punishment for a serious crime called a ‘capital offence’ or a ‘capital crime.
• Capital Punishment and Deterrence of Crime For the case of murder or crimes that necessitate capital punishment, the incentive to commit murder is directly related to the uncertainties that punishments for the crime will generate.
• Capital Punishment: Advantages and Disadvantages This paper examines death penalty from an impartial view by considering disadvantages and advantages of capital punishment in society. Thirdly, Teeters views that death penalty is a retribution action in which a victim is punished […]
• Analysis: Speech In Favor of Capital Punishment by John Stuart Mills Mills rightly points out that the very grounds of humanity used to support the removal of the death penalty should also be the ones used to support retaining of the sentence.
• The Ethical and Legal Standards of Capital Punishment This is one of the details that should be considered. This is one of the pitfalls that should be avoided.
• Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty Furthermore, the defense and, in the United States, the prosecution has the right of vexatious challenge, which allows it to confront several participants without providing a reason.
• Capital Punishment Is Morally and Legally Wrong The problem of the death penalty is complex and multifaceted. It affects the political, legal, moral, cultural, and other fields of life.
• Justifications for Capital Punishment This statement mostly appeals to a general deterrence argument, as the fear of punishment emerged from showing its implementation, but not from other justifications effects.
• The Significance of Capital Punishment in the UAE Current analysis of the importance of the death penalty worldwide focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of the punishment. The UAE has a mandatory death penalty which is susceptible to the judgment of authorities and […]
• Capital Punishment: Utilitarianism and Retributivism Theories However, to rule out chances of an innocent person being punished, the theory advocates for justice; before punishment is administered, the court should proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty.
• Capital Punishment Interpretation and Exceptions Under custody, the law applies to cases in which the conditions of custody are compromised and to situations where the suspect is held unfairly. The suspect responded with a yes and this was used as […]
• Capital Punishment Debates: Death Penalty The capital punishment has been practiced in almost all the societies and all epochs in the development of the mankind. The author educates the society as a whole on litigious issues of the death penalty […]
• Capital Punishment in Florida The system is erroneous and cases that almost end up in the ‘chair’ are overturned contrary to the expectations of the family members of the murdered.
• Capital Punishment: Term Definition In that regard, taking such issues such as euthanasia, abortion and capital punishment, the latter can be considered as the most delicate, especially considering many cases that represent exceptions that are feared to be repeated.
• Capital Punishment – Moral or Immoral? It would not be a futile exercise to interpret capital punishment in the light of religion before proceeding to the subject of my argument. Countries that give importance to such punishments should tone down and […]
• Capital Punishment in the US Analysis Capital Punishment is the lawful infliction of death as a punishment for a major crime. The first argument against Capital Punishment is that it is inhumane.
• An Orwellian Look at Capital Punishment His reaction to the actual hanging of a puny Hindu man borders on a strategy of remaining as a detached viewer and subconsciously, his gorge rises at the thought of a human being with a […]
• Public Opinion on Capital Punishment for Juveniles This essay is a study of the public opinion on Capital Punishment for juveniles, this is a very controversial subject as many people are against Captial punishment, and many are for life imprisonment, capital punishment […]
• Capital Punishment and Race Factor in the US First of all, it is necessary to briefly discuss the history of race in the U.S.to provide a foundation for the bias and explain its causes.
• The Controversy Over Capital Punishment It is as a result of this that he concludes that Ford calls for the execution of capital punishment as a penalty in criminal offences.
• Capital Punishment in Melville’s “Billy Budd, Sailor” One of the reasons for the triumph of Billy Budd, Sailor in America and the United Kingdom, was the precision, with which the author portrayed the historical and cultural context, particularly Melville analyzed both issues […]
• Capital Punishment in Indonesia The government is also known to safeguard the details of capital punishment in the country. The targeted prisoners are “executed in the middle of the night”.
• Capital Punishment, Its Ethics and Infair Justice The main factors leading to differences in stands between the anti-capital punishment and pro-death are the morality and religious issues surrounding the matter.
• Capital Punishment and Unusual Punishment The issue of capital punishment has always been on the radar of the Supreme Court of the United States. The key question that should be answered is the future of capital punishment and unusual punishment […]
• Capital Punishment in United States The most compelling argument in support of capital punishment is that failing to execute murderers may in itself put more lives in danger.
• Debates on Capital Punishment in the US For example, capital punishment is the best punishment for murder because it is equal to the crime. Thirdly, capital punishment is a violation of the human right to life.
• Isolation and Capital Punishments On the other hand, capital punishments such as deaths deprives of people the freedom of life and goes against God’s command which disallows intentional killings of persons, or murder. Similarly, capital punishment in the form […]
• Does the Death Sentence Offer Justice to the Criminal? It is not enough to be locked in prison for ending the life of a fellow human being. Revenge is one of the ways that can be used.
• The Consequences of Capital Punishment The appeals in the death penalty cases are usually many and cause the social costs of the cases to be even more expensive.
• Moral Issue of Capital Punishment Capital punishment is also a form of premeditated death as the action is planned for, does it mean that the state has the right to premeditate deaths for some of its citizens because they are […]
• The Death Penalty Debate in the United States of America The punishment is believed to have been there even at the time of the earlier colonies of the United States; it as well continued to be in force within the states that came to form […]
• Psychological Aspects of Capital Punishment According to research done by Freedman and Hemenway on a group of death row inmates, it was established that almost a two-thirds of the death row inmates are retarded.
• The Death Penalty in the Modern Society The cost of maintenance of the convicted individuals is also one of the reasons that necessitate the death penalty. The reaffirmation of the death penalty is also attributed to the teachings portrayed by most religions.
• Avoiding of Capital Punishment Capital punishment is also unnecessary since there are better ways of punishing criminals such as life imprisonment to keep the society in order and at peace.
• The Economic Significance of Capital Punishment The survival of any civilization hinges on the establishment of laws and codes of conduct and the subsequent obeying of the same by the society’s members.
• Capital Punishment in Modern American History: Lists of Capital Crimes That Varied From Region to Region Politicians are frequently trying to expand the scope of capital punishment by bringing in a host of crimes under it.”The US public has deep concern over violent crimes due to the cynical manipulation of capital […]
• Analysis of Capital Punishment in the Films Those for the death penalty in the movie are represented by Ramunda who becomes a strong advocate for the death penalty and in many instances, is a counterpart of Cushing.
• Capital Punishment Legislation The main reasons that opponents of the death penalty give for their position are, the fact that the death penalty is inhumane and cruel.
• Capital Punishment Role in the World However, it is wrong and unjustified because it is inhuman, unfair, violates the human right to life, and it does not aid in reduction of crime.
• Capital Punishment as an Option in Maryland Death penalty is the most serious punishment that can be used by the government against people; and even if it costs less then keeping a person in jail till the end of his/her life and […]
• Capital Punishment in Political View This is because quiet a number of the abolitions have been associated with democratic developments in political systems of the countries that have abolished the penalties. Conservatives have in the United States been strongly opposed […]
• Capital Punishment: A Critical Evaluation of Its Appropriateness in Modern Society In line with the above argument, supporters of capital punishment argue that the practice permanently removes thieves, murderers, rapists, and other criminals from the face of society, in the process making it safer for compliant […]
• Capital Punishment: Proponents and Opponents Arguements The opponents of capital of capital punishment argue that it is not a just and humane way of punishing heinous criminals in the society because everybody has right to life.
• What Does Capital Punishment Mean in History?
• How Can Death Penalty Prevent Repeat Offenders?
• Why Should Capital Punishment Be Reinstated in Australia?
• How Objective and Justifiable Are Our Reasons for Enforcing the Death Penalty?
• Does Capital Punishment Have a Deterrent Effect?
• How Has the Death Penalty Changed Over Time?
• What Is Wrong With Capital Punishment?
• Should Federal Courts Review State Death Penalty Cases?
• Can Capital Punishment Ever Be Justified?
• Should the Death Penalty Apply to Juvenile Criminals?
• Does the Death Penalty Breach Human Rights?
• Can Capital Punishment Keep Us Safe?
• Should the Death Penalty Be a Part of the System of Justice?
• Does Capital Punishment Equate to Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
• Should the Death Penalty Be Enforced?
• How Does Capital Punishment Affirm Life?
• Should the Death Penalty Be Imposed for Drug Offences?
• Does Capital Punishment Have a Local Deterrent Effect on Homicides?
• Should the Death Penalty Be Mandatory for Homicide?
• How Does Capital Punishment Work in the United States?
• Should the Death Penalty Be Morally Acceptable?
• Does Race Affect the Way of Capital Punishment?
• What Crimes Are Charged With Death Penalty?
• Does the Capital Punishment Have a Role in Civilized Society?
• Why Should Capital Punishment Be Abolished?
• What Effects Does the Death Penalty Cause on Society?
• How Does Legislation Help to Prevent Racial Bias in Death Penalty Convictions?
• Is the Death Penalty Fair?
• Does Jodi Arias Deserve the Death Penalty?
• What Attitudes Might Christians Hold About Capital Punishment?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Finding Sources for Death Penalty Research

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One of the most popular topics for an argument essay is the death penalty . When researching a topic for an argumentative essay , accuracy is important, which means the quality of your sources is important.

If you're writing a paper about the death penalty, you can start with this list of sources, which provide arguments for all sides of the topic.

Amnesty International Site

Amnesty International views the death penalty as "the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights." This website provides a gold mine of statistics and the latest breaking news on the subject.

Mental Illness on Death Row

Death Penalty Focus is an organization that aims to bring about the abolition of capital punishment and is a great resource for information. You will find evidence that many of the people executed over the past decades are affected by a form of mental illness or disability.

Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty

This extensive article provides an overview of arguments for and against the death penalty and offers a history of notable events that have shaped the discourse for activists and proponents.

Pro-Death Penalty Links

This page comes from ProDeathPenalty and contains a state-by-state guide to capital punishment resources. You'll also find a list of papers written by students on topics related to capital punishment. 

• Capital Punishment: Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty
• Pros & Cons of the Death Penalty
• 5 Arguments in Favor of the Death Penalty
• Ethos, Logos, Pathos for Persuasion
• History of Capital Punishment in Canada
• Preparing an Argument Essay: Exploring Both Sides of an Issue
• Recent Legal History of the Death Penalty in America
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• The Death Penalty in the United States
• New Challenges to the Death Penalty
• 50 Argumentative Essay Topics
• Furman v. Georgia: Supreme Court Case, Arguments, Impact
• "The Penalty of Death" by H.L. Mencken
• The Best Interactive Debate Websites for Students and Teachers
• Coker v. Georgia: Supreme Court Case, Arguments, Impact
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Choosing Topic For A Research Paper On The Death Penalty

Table of Contents

The death penalty is highly discussed all around the world. The main aspect of the problem is its moral side: is there any crime worth being punished with death?

Writing a death penalty research paper would demand to state your personal position on the question. It is better to define it for yourself before you start.

Still, you’ve got time for that. No need to rush. Think about it while we explain the basic requirements for a research paper on the topic.

Death penalty research paper: a brief how-to

First of all, the structure… An essential part of any written work.

It consists of:

• Outline . A table of contents, basically.
• Introduction . The beginning of your text. Here you present your thesis, your statement, and explain your vision of the issue. You might also provide the reader with a brief history of the problem, definitions, etc. Anything that would grab the reader’s attention.
• Main body . This is to present all your ideas and research work you’ve done. Remember to place the statements in a logical order and divide the text into paragraphs.
• Conclusion . Here you sum up everything you’ve said before. Keep in mind that you don’t have to add any new ideas in this paragraph.
• References . At the very end, you provide a list of resources and bibliography.

While researching the topic, find out about the death penalty procedure, legislation, countries, that practice it, what kinds of crimes are condemned with the death penalty, what are the terms and conditions, etc.

List of credible sources for inspiration

WWhile there’s a need to know much on the topic, it’s obvious that you have to do a lot of college research paper work. That is why you have to choose the best sources. So here are some ideas where you can take useful, reliable and up to date information:

• Wikipedia . Only to get a general understanding, before digging deeper. Here you can find information on history, contemporary use, public opinion, etc. Pay attention to the references mentioned in the articles. They usually contain valuable resources.
• DPIC (Death Penalty Information Center). Loads of data on capital punishment in the U.S.A. Moreover, they post news about condemnations , have execution database and state-by-state map.
• CNN contains a pretty interesting article “Death Penalty Fast Facts”. It is constantly updated and provides curious statistics.
• NCADP (National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty). The movement against capital punishment. Of course, you won’t find information in favour of such punishment on their website, but it is still very informative and has a lot of supporters.

How to choose a topic?

Capital punishment research paper writing may cover a vast variety of issues related to capital punishment. The main task here is to choose a narrow, specialized topic so that it would be interesting and won’t make you get lost in the number of facts.

If you face troubles composing a topic for your work , try this:

• Brainstorm . Set an alarm clock for 5-10 minutes and concentrate on noting ideas for your topic.
• Find the aspect of your most genuine interest.
• Make sure that the issue you chose is well covered with decent materials .
• Note keywords of your topic to be.
• Experiment on phrasing.
• Determine your topic as the main research question.

Didn’t help? Well, we’ve got some ideas for you. Check ‘em out below.

Death penalty research questions

As the issue is very multifaceted, it might get quite difficult to decide where to start.

Whichever topic you choose, it’s better to know general information on the case. Here are the most helpful stats!

• 105 (54%) countries abolished capital punishment for all crimes.
• 7 (4%) countries abolished the death penalty de facto and haven’t used it in practice for more than 14 years, but it is reserved for exceptional cases.
• 55 (28%) countries use the death penalty in practice.
• Most popular issues within the topic are death penalty and international human rights ; racial aspect; methods of performing; religious aspect; humanness.

More statistics, visualized for your convenience:

Death penalty essay topics

Since there is a lot to examine within the issue of capital punishment, you would need to come up with a specific topic for your research paper.

Below are some prewritten death penalty research paper topics which may be of great help:

• Can the death penalty be seen as an act of revenge, not as a punishment?
• The death penalty is more human than life imprisonment.
• The negative sides of the death penalty.
• Does the death penalty have a positive effect on crime rates?
• Can capital punishment save the funds that are spent on the imprisoned?
• Is the death penalty equal to murder?
• How should capital punishment be performed?
• There’s always a chance to execute an innocent person. How to solve this problem?
• Death penalty in the religious context.
• Examine the legislation of the countries where capital punishment is practised.
• The moral aspect of the death penalty.
• Pros and cons of the death penalty.
• Lifetime imprisonment is a better punishment for criminals.
• Own attitude towards the death penalty.
• It is better to keep ten criminals alive than to execute one innocent person.
• Methods of performing capital punishment.
• Evolution of the death penalty.
• Analyze all the aspects of capital punishment in a selected country/state.
• People who are considered to deserve capital punishment will never be rehabilitated in society.
• How to deal with the chance of executing an innocent?
• The effectiveness of the death penalty in preventing crimes.
• Can capital punishment be seen as a violation of human rights?
• Families of executed people: psychological context.
• Capital punishment: an efficient means or a relic of history?
• Death penalty as a method of intimidation in third-world countries.

To sum up, we’d say that a capital punishment research paper is indeed a tough but still thought-provoking assignment.

However, knowing the basics of writing such paper will surely ease your work.

Follow the instructions of your teacher, use hints and ideas from this article and be ready to do your best!

Don’t know how to craft a perfect paper on the death penalty, but strive to have one? If there only was a service to help you out… Wait! There is one. Order your perfect essay here and forget all your troubles.

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Writing a Good Thesis Statement

Writing a thesis statement.

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All good thesis statements begin with a research question(s).

• What is it that you want to know about your research topic?
• Start broad, then focus your question(s) as you develop your topic, locate sources, and read arguments and information.
• Your thesis will change depending on the focus of your research question.
• Before you arrive at a focused thesis statement try creating a draft or open thesis. A draft thesis should state your general idea, but not yet reflect how you intend to support that idea.

For Example:

• Broad Topic : Death penalty
• Initial Research Question(s): Is the death penalty fair? Should there be a death penalty?
• Topic Development - Narrowing Topic: economic aspects, racial aspects, political aspects, moral/ethical aspects
• Focused Question(s):  Does a defendant’s socioeconomic status influence the verdict in a death penalty case? Are low income minorities more likely to receive a death sentence than others who commit the same crime?
• Draft or Open Thesis: Poverty and race may too often play a role in death penalty cases.
• Focused Thesis (Answer to Focused Research Question): The death penalty should be abolished, because it is unfairly applied to minorities and the poor.

Adapted from Palm Beach State College's Writing a Thesis Statement Guide

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• Tips and examples of writing thesis statements Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides tips for creating a thesis statement and examples of different types of thesis statements.
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A Complete Guide to Writing a Winning Death Penalty Essay

Many students face the challenge of coming up with a good death penalty essay. This should not be the case since it’s only the topic that makes the work sound hard to tackle. My guide will enable you as a writer to come up with an appealing essay. Tutoriage company will provide diverse steps that will guide your essay and offer recommendations to ensure your work is professionally written, and, in the long run, attain a desirable grade. The first step towards writing a death penalty essay is to understand its meaning. According to the dictionary definition, death penalty refers to punishment by death for a crime that accords such a comprehensive punishment. Another way you can refer to the death penalty is capital punishment.

Types of Death Penalty Essays

To successfully write this type of paper, you should first understand what type of essay you will be tackling. For aspects such as analysis and examination of elements related to the death penalty, an analytical essay will be more appropriate. If you embark on an effort to convince a reader about an opinion you believe and stand with, a persuasive essay will be more prudent. For aspects such as evaluation or investigating the death penalty, you should apply an expository essay. An argumentative essay would be appropriate if you are to provide an argument about the death penalty, which you want to convince the reader that it’s more factual, truthful, and firm than any other stated argument within the same theme and context.

Topics Relating to the Death Penalty Essay

After deciding on the essay type to apply in writing the death penalty essay, the next step requires you to craft an interesting topic and thesis statement. Remember that the type of essay you will write will be a determination of your thesis statement (and main idea). Here are some relevant topics that you can use in writing a death penalty essay.

• The effectiveness of the death penalty in reducing crime rates
• The various Systems of the death penalty, and the order of effectiveness.
• How the death penalty provides a warning to criminals willing to commit murder.
• Is the death penalty fairly or unfairly applied?

Thesis Statements on the Death Penalty Essay

A thesis statement offers an outline of issues to be discussed on your death penalty essay for the readers to have a hint of what to expect as they go through your essay. Here are examples of thesis statements relating to a death penalty essay.

• Only countries with inhumane legal systems still use capital punishment which is outdated and primitive.
• Capital punishment only applies to criminals who have committed ghastly crimes. Countries that do not endorse this system are only pampering their criminals.
• The death penalty is a sure way of restraining people from committing horrific crimes
• The death penalty is not effective enough to restrain people from committing murder.
• There is no fair way of administering the death penalty and thus should be eliminated.
• The death penalty is effective enough to assure people that justice is being served.

Reliable Sources for Death Penalty Essays

After you have come up with the type of essay, main topic, and your thesis statement, you are required to find reliable sources that can either support or argue against your statement. It should not be hard to find such sources as they are available in different books, articles, or magazines that you can access online or in a library. It is a requirement to use sources that have been published within the last 3 years because any other source outside this time bracket will be too outdated to support your statement.

Examples of sources for a death penalty essay include:

• An article on the death penalty from Wikipedia

Be mindful that some education centers restrict the type of sources you can use, number of online sources that can be used, or even the colossal amount of sources that can be used in your essay. Some time back, Wikipedia was discouraged as a source of information when writing an essay. This is because professors realized that the content was not well controlled, as anyone could post any topic even without the relevant expertise. This prompted the editorial team of Wikipedia to step up and gain control of the content posted on their website. The information added to a particular article should be correctly cited from a credible source. This has recently made colleges withdraw the restrictions, and the source can now be utilized.

• An article on the death penalty from Google Scholar

Google scholar is another reliable source for information regarding the death penalty essay. As a search engine, it offers a wide array of quality resources relating to all debatable issues; it provides an option of accessing resources, from scholarly articles, magazines, to books. Several of the books and articles are accessible for free; others only offer specified pages, as others require payment to access them. Additionally, you can access citations for the books and articles easily.

• An article on the death penalty from Encyclopedia Britannica

As a highly recognized source, the Encyclopedia Britannica has improved from a 5.25 disc to a CD-ROM and DVD. Currently, you can access its online website and find tons of resources relating to your work.

Citing Death Penalty Sources

To achieve this, you must research and acquire recently written sources on the death penalty. Additionally, you should have a good understanding and knowledge relating to the citation of sources within your essay, and filling up a well-formatted bibliography or reference page. The citation method should be in line with the specifications. Examples of citation methods include MLA – Modern Language Association , APA – American Psychology Association , or the Chicago , Turabian Style.

Here are examples of sample works with sources used within the essay on death penalty along with the required entry for the bibliography.

With a review of various denominations, each has its own view about the death penalty. For instance, approximately 69% of the Protestants support the death penalty. Moreover, 53% of the people with no specific religious association also support the death penalty (Son).

Source format for bibliography or work cited:

Son, M. “The support and praise the death penalty receive from the American people.” Legal Report, 201418(6), 67-85. Doi: 10.12940/jfb.2014.18.6.67

“Criticisms of executions under the confinements of capital punishment to administer justice face consequences of it being applied, when the defense rests its case on retribution.” (Leotard, 2017)

Leotard Jean-François, (2017) “Review of the death penalty as it is in America today.” Manchester University Press, pp. 23-49.

Death Penalty Structure

On this area, you are required to write an overview of that included the definition of the death penalty, how it is applied in law, and how many executions have been done in each state.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Death Penalty

It is important to understand the pros and cons of the death penalty, as it will help you argue for, or against the subject. Through this, you will be able to provide valid points with relevance to your chosen topic. Also, you should narrate the reason for your opinion based on your moral gauge concerning such issues, or financial and logistical aspects associated with capital punishment.

Global Perspective on the Death Penalty

The death penalty stretches its point of view across every country, with no single standard perspective carried out by all the countries. Most western countries have eliminated capital punishment, with others taking necessary steps to achieve this. For instance, many states using the death penalty have limited its application to specific scopes. This act of law can not punish Children, the mentally ill, and the mentally disabled. Below are several countries and their status on the death penalty.

The death penalty in America

While reviewing the actions related to the death penalty in America, highlight its historical perspective, socio-political arguments for and against capital punishment, and the current stance of America on the death penalty.

The death penalty in India

When you examine capital punishment in India, be sure to highlight aspects such as the historical outlook, socio-political arguments for and against the penalty and India’s current stance on this issue.

The death penalty in Australia

While trying to gain information about capital punishment application in Australia, examine the issue from an ancient viewpoint, socio-political opinions that are for, and those against the death penalty, and their status as per now on the same issue.

The death penalty in South Africa

Similarly, you should examine this issue in South Africa accordingly, utilizing dynamics such as historical perspective, socio-political arguments against or for the death penalty, and the current standpoint of South Africa on capital punishment.

Historical Outlook on the Death Penalty

As you give a historical perspective about capital punishment for a specific country, apply issues that concern the social, legal, religious and political perspectives. The death penalty evolution can be traced from the fatal corporal punishment which the public would be physically involved in administering the punishment, to provoke fear to those with the intentions of committing offenses with a magnitude high enough to be awarded such a punishment.

Social Judgment on the Death Penalty

When you are required to give your opinion concerning this type of essay, most people believe you are supposed to advocate for, or against the death penalty. This way of thinking is influenced by the moral obligation and orientation we have on human life. However, the moral balance as to whether capital punishment is wrong or right is not yet clear. However, different sources argue their viewpoint using justifiable factual data, and you can use them to gain enough information that will help you weigh in your stance about it.

Pros of the Death Penalty

Sources that provide information on the benefits of capital punishment examine rates of repetition of an offense, the costs to be incurred if incarcerated, and the immediate execution of the offender. Most of the sources argue in line with financial and logistical aspects; thus you can utilize such information to come up with your own argument that relates to your perspective.

Shortcomings of the Death Penalty

You can find such information in resources that offer anti-death standpoints. They cover aspects such as wrongful executions, the cost estimate of a single execution, the lack of a deterrent effect even after the penalty has been applied several times, and the religious and moral orientation that argue against the death penalty.

How effective is the Death Penalty?

While arguing about this dynamic, first define the judicial system goals in administering punishments to offenders. Criminal punishments focus its impact on a specific defendant while serving society with related functions. These functions may be retribution, punishment, and deterrence. How well or bad the death penalty fulfills these three functions will determine how effective capital punishment is.

Legalizing the Death Penalty

Even though it is considered an effective form of punishment, its legalization or use should focus on consideration of questions other than its effectiveness. Your argument about this aspect should be technical or offer personal reasons that support or opposes the death penalty. After achieving this relevant conclusion can be drawn whether it is right to legalize or reject incorporation of the death penalty into the law.

Death Penalty on Teenagers

While discussing the issue of application of the death penalty on teenagers, consider the stance of different states on this issue. Most jurisdictions bar the application of this law on teenagers and young adults, while others grant it in relation to the degree of their offense. Studies do suggest that the teenage mind has not matured enough to fully comprehend the degree of the harm their actions cause to the general public or an individual. This begs for a debate on the legality and appropriateness of such a law towards people of such age. In your essay, you should base your argument on such dynamics to come up with a first-class death penalty essay.

Death Penalty Essay Examples

To gain perspective on how to write a competent death penalty essay, going through another student’s essay or a professionally written essay would prove to be of advantage. Sample essays will help you outline quality topics, thesis statements, arguments and correctly cite resources related to your topic. Utilize online resources to gain a sample death penalty essay that you can go through to help you come up with your original work.

A point to remember: While writing a death penalty essay, there are various types of essays that can apply to this topic of discussion. The topic you choose should follow its specified outline template to ensure the work has structure and logic. The topic you choose has to address various aspects that this practice entails, and the arguments you put across should highlight a high level of authenticity, and backed up with reliable information to make it credible.

5 Death Penalty Essays Everyone Should Know

Capital punishment is an ancient practice. It’s one that human rights defenders strongly oppose and consider as inhumane and cruel. In 2019, Amnesty International reported the lowest number of executions in about a decade. Most executions occurred in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt . The United States is the only developed western country still using capital punishment. What does this say about the US? Here are five essays about the death penalty everyone should read:

“When We Kill”

By: Nicholas Kristof | From: The New York Times 2019

In this excellent essay, Pulitizer-winner Nicholas Kristof explains how he first became interested in the death penalty. He failed to write about a man on death row in Texas. The man, Cameron Todd Willingham, was executed in 2004. Later evidence showed that the crime he supposedly committed – lighting his house on fire and killing his three kids – was more likely an accident. In “When We Kill,” Kristof puts preconceived notions about the death penalty under the microscope. These include opinions such as only guilty people are executed, that those guilty people “deserve” to die, and the death penalty deters crime and saves money. Based on his investigations, Kristof concludes that they are all wrong.

Nicholas Kristof has been a Times columnist since 2001. He’s the winner of two Pulitizer Prices for his coverage of China and the Darfur genocide.

“An Inhumane Way of Death”

By: Willie Jasper Darden, Jr.

Willie Jasper Darden, Jr. was on death row for 14 years. In his essay, he opens with the line, “Ironically, there is probably more hope on death row than would be found in most other places.” He states that everyone is capable of murder, questioning if people who support capital punishment are just as guilty as the people they execute. Darden goes on to say that if every murderer was executed, there would be 20,000 killed per day. Instead, a person is put on death row for something like flawed wording in an appeal. Darden feels like he was picked at random, like someone who gets a terminal illness. This essay is important to read as it gives readers a deeper, more personal insight into death row.

Willie Jasper Darden, Jr. was sentenced to death in 1974 for murder. During his time on death row, he advocated for his innocence and pointed out problems with his trial, such as the jury pool that excluded black people. Despite worldwide support for Darden from public figures like the Pope, Darden was executed in 1988.

“We Need To Talk About An Injustice”

By: Bryan Stevenson | From: TED 2012

This piece is a transcript of Bryan Stevenson’s 2012 TED talk, but we feel it’s important to include because of Stevenson’s contributions to criminal justice. In the talk, Stevenson discusses the death penalty at several points. He points out that for years, we’ve been taught to ask the question, “Do people deserve to die for their crimes?” Stevenson brings up another question we should ask: “Do we deserve to kill?” He also describes the American death penalty system as defined by “error.” Somehow, society has been able to disconnect itself from this problem even as minorities are disproportionately executed in a country with a history of slavery.

Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, and author. He’s argued in courts, including the Supreme Court, on behalf of the poor, minorities, and children. A film based on his book Just Mercy was released in 2019 starring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx.

“I Know What It’s Like To Carry Out Executions”

By: S. Frank Thompson | From: The Atlantic 2019

In the death penalty debate, we often hear from the family of the victims and sometimes from those on death row. What about those responsible for facilitating an execution? In this opinion piece, a former superintendent from the Oregon State Penitentiary outlines his background. He carried out the only two executions in Oregon in the past 55 years, describing it as having a “profound and traumatic effect” on him. In his decades working as a correctional officer, he concluded that the death penalty is not working . The United States should not enact federal capital punishment.

Frank Thompson served as the superintendent of OSP from 1994-1998. Before that, he served in the military and law enforcement. When he first started at OSP, he supported the death penalty. He changed his mind when he observed the protocols firsthand and then had to conduct an execution.

“There Is No Such Thing As Closure on Death Row”

By: Paul Brown | From: The Marshall Project 2019

This essay is from Paul Brown, a death row inmate in Raleigh, North Carolina. He recalls the moment of his sentencing in a cold courtroom in August. The prosecutor used the term “closure” when justifying a death sentence. Who is this closure for? Brown theorizes that the prosecutors are getting closure as they end another case, but even then, the cases are just a way to further their careers. Is it for victims’ families? Brown is doubtful, as the death sentence is pursued even when the families don’t support it. There is no closure for Brown or his family as they wait for his execution. Vivid and deeply-personal, this essay is a must-read for anyone who wonders what it’s like inside the mind of a death row inmate.

Paul Brown has been on death row since 2000 for a double murder. He is a contributing writer to Prison Writers and shares essays on topics such as his childhood, his life as a prisoner, and more.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Argumentative, Exploratory, or Rhetorical Analysis Essays on “Death Penalty”

6 July 2023

last updated

Learning institutions require students to present outstanding essays on specific topics. In particular, the topic “Death Penalty” is an example of such a theme that learners may encounter during the writing process. Also, students may opt to use this topic when writing argumentative, exploratory, and rhetorical analysis essays. Basically, the three essay types follow a unique format that enhances the need to communicate with readers effectively. Despite the difference in formats, authors should use outlines before writing their essays. In this case, the process helps to organize ideas in a logical manner that enhances the communication of the intended message. Then, other important activities that one should consider are proofreading a paper and following a sandwich rule when writing body paragraphs. In turn, these activities help one to improve the quality of writing an essay on “Death Penalty.” Hence, students need to learn how to write an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty” or basic principles of using exploratory or rhetorical analysis formats for such a paper with examples to follow.

General Guidelines of Writing an Essay on “Death Penalty” for Argumentative, Exploratory, and Rhetorical Analysis Formats

Students must complete different types of essays during their studies. Basically, some of the common types of scholarly papers include argumentative, exploratory, and rhetorical analysis essays, which rely on varying rules irrespective of their topics. In this case, one can write about the topic “Death Penalty” in different ways based on the essay’s type. Moreover, learners must understand the necessary rules, formats, and structures for each essay type to prepare a paper that meets the necessary academic standards. In turn, the topic “Death Penalty” requires one to give an evaluation of the existing facts and provide compelling arguments that allow target readers to develop a better understanding. Hence, authors should write argumentative, exploratory, and rhetorical analysis papers by following specific rules. 

How to Write a “Death Penalty” Essay in Argumentative, Exploratory, and Rhetorical Analysis Formats

An essay on the topic “Death Penalty” should appear different when it is written as argumentative, explanatory, or rhetorical analysis formats. Basically, each of these essay types has different expectations and grading standards that learners must observe at all times. In turn, failing to meet specific requirements may lead to low grades for essays on “Death Penalty”. Hence, specific factors that one should observe when preparing an academic paper on “Death Penalty” are:

1. How to Write an Argumentative Essay on “Death Penalty”

One should rely on extensive research when writing an argumentative essay on the topic “Death Penalty.” For instance, argumentative essays require students to give different perspectives on an issue. In this case, learners must rely on extensive research to understand their topics and present viable arguments. Also, this approach enables writers to make claims that support a thesis statement , counterarguments that oppose the central claim, and refutations. In turn, this strategy allows an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty” to meet the necessary criteria for convincing readers to accept a particular perspective. Then, quality argumentative papers must contain clear and logical transitions between body paragraphs. In particular, authors must ensure that an essay on “Death Penalty” contains a unique flow of ideas between the introduction, body, and conclusion. In turn, transitions act as words that ensure a logical progression of thoughts in a paragraph.

2. How to Write an Exploratory Essay on “Death Penalty”

An exploratory essay on “Death Penalty” allows writers to find out about a problem and develop preliminary conclusions on potential solutions. Basically, quality exploratory essays represent the author’s perspective of the writing and thinking process. In this case, an exploratory essay on “Death Penalty” describes “when,” “how,” and “why” a writer complete specific types of research. Besides, a persuasive paper should identify the problem and possible causes and solutions that readers may establish. In turn, prudent writers give a reflection of how credible sources analyzed helped them to develop different thoughts about a study problem. Also, suitable reflections may indicate how writers fell short of expectations that led to new research directions.

3. How to Write a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on “Death Penalty”

Rhetorical analysis papers on “Death Penalty” allow authors to show how a topic appeals to readers. In this case, a suitable paper must show how a topic appeals to logic, emotions, and credibility. Also, writers must present information that influences the reader’s thoughts. Then, learners must examine their topics in greater detail and prove their perspectives by using rhetorical devices . Besides, a rhetorical analysis essay on “Death Penalty” analyzes a specific source and examines its effectiveness in communicating the intended message.

Structure for Argumentative, Exploratory, and Rhetorical Analysis Essays on “Death Penalty”

Writers have to follow a specific essay structure when preparing an essay on “Death Penalty.” In this case, argumentative, explanatory, and rhetorical analysis formats follow different structures. Hence, an essay outline for these formats are:

Outline Sample Template for Writing an Argumentative Essay on “Death Penalty”

A student must follow a well-organized outline for writing an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty” to score higher grades.

I. Introduction

A. A catchphrase that makes the opening paragraph interesting. Basically, the first sentence must draw readers into an argumentative essay. B. A few sentences that provide background information of an argument being discussed. C. A thesis statement that presents the main claim for an essay.

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Background Paragraph

• This paragraph should lay the foundation for providing the intended argument.
• One should include a summary of the topic, definition of terms, and an explanation of leading theories.

B. Supporting Paragraph – This paragraph should support an argumentative thesis statement. One should include:

• A topic sentence that responds to a central claim made in the introduction paragraph.
• Evidence that supports this central claim. In practice, the evidence may contain reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and quotations. Also, writers should provide an in-text citation to support the evidence presented.
• Students must include an accurate explanation of the evidence. In particular, suitable explanations explain how the audience should read and interpret the evidence provided in the text. Besides, the opinion-based explanation provided should prove the writer’s point.
• This body paragraph should end with a concluding sentence that reasserts a topic sentence provided.

C. Opposing Paragraph – It is a counterargument paragraph that anticipates the reader’s opposition. Basically, authors should sound objective and reasonable when writing this paragraph. Hence, some of the elements that one should include are:

• A topic sentence should state a possible counterargument that readers might pose against a thesis statement.
• Writers need to include objective evidence to support counterarguments.
• Explanations should provide reasonable and justifiable explanations that may help to understand this counterargument.
• This body paragraph should end with a sentence that reasserts a counterargument.

D. Refutation Paragraph – This paragraph reveals the weakness of a counterargument. Hence, some of the factors that one should consider when refuting a counterargument are:

• A topic sentence states the weakness of a counterargument.
• The evidence presented should prove why this counterargument appears weak.
• Explanations should prove why a central argument holds when compared to a counterclaim.
• A concluding sentence reasserts the essay’s central argument.

III. Conclusion

The conclusion usually sums up the main points discussed in an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty.” Hence, some of the points that one should consider are:

• One should restate the paper’s overall claim and relevant supporting evidence.
• The conclusion should reflect a thoughtful and analytical understanding of a topic.
• The conclusion should not contain new evidence.

Important Points to Note

Students should not limit an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty” to five paragraphs only. For instance, a thesis statement should guide the length of an argumentative essay that one must write. In this case, a good essay on “Death Penalty” may have several supporting and counterargument paragraphs. Moreover, the primary goal is to provide an exhaustive explanation of the main topic. In some instances, one may combine the introduction and background information paragraph. Besides, writers may decide to combine a counterargument and a refutation into one paragraph.

Outline Sample Template for Writing an Exploratory Essay on “Death Penalty”

A. The introduction should set the context for readers to understand the main topic. In this case, students should begin writing an exploratory essay on “Death Penalty” with a paragraph that gives the general background information. Besides, one should set up the ideas discussed throughout a paper.

B. The introduction should reveal the importance of a topic under evaluation. Basically, the presented details should motivate the audience to read further. In this case, writers should ensure that the introduction creates unique interests in reading a paper.

C. The introduction of an exploratory essay on “Death Penalty” should state the question or topic of exploration. For instance, one should use one or several sentences that give more information about intended goals. In turn, readers should also find out “why” and “how” authors intend to explore it.

A. The body section should have different paragraphs that focus on supporting the central claim of an argument. 

B. Each paragraph should give a detailed explanation of a source used. In this case, writers should include the source’s information and explain why it sounds essential.

C. Each body paragraph should give the writer’s reflection on a source and its information. 

A. The conclusion should give a general overview of the concepts discussed.

B. Students should provide information that ties up loose ends. In this case, one should restate the main question and emphasize important points left out in body paragraphs.

Important Points

Learners should vary the body paragraph’s structure to enhance the communication of the main ideas. For instance, writers should intend to communicate the main message instead of following the structure discussed previously strictly.

Outline Sample Template for Writing a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on “Death Penalty”

A. Learners should identify an author of a source under analysis. For example, students should use a positive phrase to establish the author’s reliability and expert. Then, other essential details include the source’s title and a suitable rhetorical verb. Moreover, some of the unique verbs include “assert,” “argue,” “suggest,” “imply,” and “claim.” Finally, the first sentence should end with a “that” clause, which asserts its thesis statement. 

B. Writers should explain how an author develops or supports a thesis. Basically, this explanation should follow a chronological order to enhance the essay’s quality.

C. Students should include a statement that shows the author’s purpose, followed by an “in order” phrase.

D. Scholars should describe the apparent relationship that the source’s author establishes with targeted readers.

E. The last sentence in the introduction contains the writer’s central claim or thesis statement.

A. Topic sentence – The first sentence in a paragraph contains claims about strategies that address its purpose or prompt.

B. Specific examples and supporting idea – Students provide explicit textual support that supports their claims. Also, writers should discuss their examples thoroughly while providing supporting details. 

C. Discussion – Learners should discuss how provided examples support the central idea.

D. Concluding sentence – Students need to end each paragraph with a statement that sums up a single paragraph and connects an example to the introduction’s claim. 

A. Restating a thesis statement – Scholars must restate a thesis statement and dig deeper into the text’s overall intended meaning. Basically, this approach must help scholars to develop a deeper understanding than they establish in the opening paragraph.

B. Reflection – Learners should reflect on examples and main ideas discussed in the essay’s body. In turn, this aspect should state the meaning of the primary persuasive strategies utilized in the source analyzed.

C. Effectiveness – Writers should state if persuasive strategies used effectively communicated the intended message.

D. Closing thoughts – Students should include final remarks that show the primary purpose of a source under analysis.

Additional Points

Learners should ensure that rhetorical analysis papers show the source’s effectiveness in explaining the main argument. In this case, one should provide a seamless transition of ideas presented in a rhetorical analysis essay on “Death Penalty.” Also, topic sentences in second and subsequent body paragraphs should contain a transitioning statement. In turn, this method helps to communicate the intended message without creating avoidable obstructions to readers.

Strategies on How to Improve an Essay on “Death Penalty”

Students focus on achieving better grades in their studies. For instance, scholars must ensure that their argumentative, exploratory, or rhetorical analysis essays on “Death Penalty” meet the necessary quality and set requirements. However, many learners fail to achieve this objective due to various flaws. Therefore, some of the strategies that writers should use to improve the overall quality of their essays are:

Step 1: Proofreading

Learners must proofread their works to ensure that such papers meet the necessary quality. Basically, the primary purpose of proofreading an essay is to remove spelling mistakes, typos, and grammatical errors that may affect the essay’s readability levels. Then, prudent students request their peers to read through their works to provide suitable critiques. In turn, this strategy allows authors to identify all the writing mechanisms that may distort the intended meaning. Besides, writers should make the necessary corrections and revisions to ensure that their essays on “Death Penalty” meet the necessary quality.

Step 2: Use of Terminologies

Students should use specific terms effectively when writing argumentative, exploratory, and rhetorical analysis essays on the topic “Death Penalty.” In most cases, effective use of the necessary terms enhances one’s ability to communicate the intended message with clarity. Hence, some of the terms that one should consider when preparing an essay on “Death Penalty” are:

• Analyze – One should use this term when referring to the process of breaking an issue into fundamental parts using the supporting arguments. Also, this term applies when scholars refer to the evidence provided to support or oppose the main claim.
• Assess – The term “assess” refers to the process of evaluating the extent that something remains valid. In this case, one should persuade readers by providing relevant citations from reliable sources . Besides, suitable assessments must end with a clear statement that shows how one agrees or opposes the original claim.
• Clarify – Students should use the term “clarify” when making a concept clearer. For instance, the term “clarify” alludes to the process of explaining a complicated process, concept, theory, or connection between two variables or factors. In turn, failing to establish necessary explanations may lower one’s ability to communicate the intended message.
• Elaborate – The term “elaborate” refers to the process of providing more details or information.
• Evaluate – The term “evaluate” refers to the process of appraising a statement to establish the intended meaning. 

Step 3: Making an Outline Before Writing

Learners should create an outline before writing the actual essay. Unfortunately, many students make mistakes by writing their essays without planning or organizing ideas first. Basically, such mistakes lead to weaker essays on “Death Penalty” that fail to achieve a seamless flow of the main ideas. In this case, an outline helps authors to organize all the relevant ideas in chronological order. Then, prudent scholars must create an outline and make necessary revisions to ensure that they capture all the essential ideas. In turn, the process of revising an essay outline should involve the addition of more substantial evidence, removal of weaker sources, and inclusion of more explicit concepts that relate to the topic on “Death Penalty.”  

Step 4: Following a Sandwich Rule

All body paragraphs of argumentative, exploratory, or rhetorical analysis essays on “Death Penalty” must follow a sandwich rule. For example, one should provide a topic sentence, evidence, relevant explanation, and concluding sentences in each paragraph. Firstly, a topic sentence should connect to a thesis statement presented in the introduction. Then, students should use relevant and robust evidence to support topic sentences. In this case, some of the acceptable forms of evidence include examples, illustrations, and opinions. Besides, one should cite any evidence to enhance the essay’s credibility levels. After that, suitable explanations enable readers to develop a better understanding of connections between the topic sentences and supporting evidence. Finally, the last sentence in a paragraph should sum up all the ideas presented in the section.

Example of an Argumentative Essay on “Death Penalty”

I. introduction sample for an argumentative essay on “death penalty”.

The death penalty remains a contested topic among scholars in the twenty-first century. Basically, legal experts give moral justification that supports the existence of the death penalty. However, people who advocate for human rights maintain that the death penalty lacks moral justification. Although scholars disagree on the death penalty’s legality, the current justice system provides the necessary protocols to avoid the convicted criminals’ inexcusable execution.

II. Examples of Body Paragraphs in an Argumentative Essay on “Death Penalty”

A. argument.

The justice system of the United States provides the necessary protocols to ensure that the death penalty promotes justice. For example, the criminal justice system requires judges to sentence convicts found guilty of first-degree murder into a death sentence (Garrett & Kovarsky, 2018). In this case, the ruling in first-degree murder relies on objective evidence and a justifiable prosecution process. Besides, the convicted individual receives an opportunity to appeal. Hence, people charged with first-degree murder receive a death penalty after going through a fair legal process.

B. Counterargument

On the other hand, some people state that the death penalty does not meet moral justification. Basically, contenders maintain that executing a first-degree murderer fails to give him a chance to change (Brown, 2020). Also, the death penalty violates the convict’s fundamental right to life. However, such claims fail to consider that people charged for first-degree murder violated their fundamental rights. In turn, sentencing such people to death eliminates possible threats to public lives.

III. Conclusion Sample for an Argumentative Essay on “Death Penalty”

Though scholars disagree on the legality of the death penalty, criminal justice provides the convicts with a chance to receive a fair hearing. In this case, the current justice system provides the necessary protocols to avoid inexcusable execution. Thus, the counterargument presented fails to consider that first-degree murderers violate other people’s fundamental right to life. 

Defining Features

The second paragraph in the essay above contains the main claim. However, the third paragraph contains a counterargument and the necessary refutations. Finally, the conclusion sums up the main points presented in an argumentative essay on “Death Penalty.” In turn, this paper is only an example and does not force to consider any position.

Example of an Exploratory Essay on “Death Penalty”

I. introduction sample for an exploratory essay on “death penalty”.

Many scholars disagree on the most effective strategies that the criminal justice system should use to promote justice for first-degree murder victims. Different knowledge levels and personal interests influence such disagreements. Findings from recent research by Garrett and Kovarsky prove that creating awareness about capital punishment can reduce disagreements on the death penalty’s effectiveness.

II. Example of a Body Paragraph in an Exploratory Essay on “Death Penalty”

The book “The Death Penalty” shows that disagreements about the death penalty’s legality and effectiveness arise due to various ignorance levels. For example, non-lawyer fails to access legal documents about capital punishments (Garrett & Kovarsky, 2018). In turn, this problem leads to higher ignorance levels, where scholars with inadequate knowledge in legal matters oppose the death penalty’s effectiveness. Therefore, the government can deal with such challenges by creating awareness about capital punishment and its purpose in the twenty-first century.

III. Conclusion Sample for an Exploratory Essay on “Death Penalty”

Though many experts oppose the legality and effectiveness of the death penalty, ignorance in legal matters remains the primary cause. In this case, non-lawyer scholars tend to oppose the application of the death penalty in promoting justice. Thus, creating public awareness can lead to a sustainable solution to the problem.  

This example of writing an exploratory essay on “Death Penalty” consists of three paragraphs. However, the length of such a paper may be higher by considering the necessary points needed to be discussed in a paper. Hence, writers may use as many paragraphs as they need to explore their topics.

Example of a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on “Death Penalty”

I. introduction sample for a rhetorical analysis essay on “death penalty”.

The book “The Death Penalty,” authored by Garrett and Kovarsky, provides suitable explanations on the death penalty’s effectiveness to promote justice. In particular, the authors use logos and pathos appeals to provide suitable explanations. Because Garrett and Kovarsky present details that appeal to readers’ reasoning and emotional senses, they justify the legality of using the death penalty for first-degree murders. 

II. Example of a Body Paragraph in a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on “Death Penalty”

Garrett and Kovarsky rely on pathos and logos appeals to justify applying the United States’ death sentence. According to Garrett and Kovarsky (2018), criminal justice requires first-degree murders to receive a death penalty sentence for violating the victim’s right to life. Basically, this statement appeals to the reader’s emotions because it brings into context the rights of the people killed in cold blood. In turn, Garrett and Kovarsky (2018) maintain that people convicted with the death penalty receive an opportunity to make their appeals before execution. Moreover, such claims appeal to the reader’s logic because all criminals have a chance to express themselves and seek intervention when they feel that the court violated their rights. Hence, Garrett and Kovarsky rely on healthy emotional and logical appeals to justify using the death penalty.

III. Conclusion Sample for a Rhetorical Analysis Essay on “Death Penalty”

Though many thinkers disagree on the death penalty’s effectiveness, Garrett and Kovarsky use strong emotional and logical appeals to prove otherwise. In turn, these two authors present details that appeal to readers’ rational and emotional senses to justify the legitimacy of using the death penalty for first-degree murders. As a result, the strategy motivates people to change their attitude toward the topic.

The second paragraph shows the use of pathos and logos in the source identified. For instance, this body paragraph provides an accurate explanation of how two authors used rhetorical aspects to communicate the main idea. Besides, the section relies on sensible evidence. In turn, the number of body paragraphs can be more than one, and it depends on the writer’s needs.

Summing Up on Writing Argumentative, Exploratory, or Rhetorical Analysis Essays on “Death Penalty”

The topic “Death Penalty” obliges one to give an evaluation of the existing facts and provide convincing opinions that allow target readers to develop a better comprehension. In this case, one may opt to write argumentative, exploratory, and rhetorical analysis essays on the topic “Death Penalty.” However, each of these types of essays follows different guidelines. Hence, some of the points that one should remember are:

• Argumentative essays on “Death Penalty” must present viable claims, counterarguments, and relevant refutations.
• Exploratory essays on “Death Penalty” must identify an existing problem and propose a viable solution.
• Rhetorical analysis essays on “Death Penalty” must reveal the use of pathos, logos, and ethos.  

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Rhetorical Analysis - The Death penalty, good or bad?

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Death Penalty Thesis

Death penalty thesis statement.

While the death penalty has no history because it was born with humanity, the doctrine distinguishes two major phases in the history of capital punishment that separates the eighteenth century. Thus, prior to this, the death penalty was applied to a large number of crimes and its various forms of execution were characterized not only by killing, but by doing so producing the greatest torments and suffering to the victim.

From the illustration to the present, both a noticeable decrease in executions and a decrease in the catalog of crimes punishing the death penalty, which generally reduces, in the countries that recognize it, to the qualified homicides, child rapes or illicit drug trafficking. Contemporary states have gone from an inordinate extension of the death penalty to an exceptional, scarce and infrequent application of the death penalty. In this new configuration the democratic principles of humanity, equality, fraternity and the monitoring of Human Rights in contemporary society have influenced.

Nowadays, the legal treatment of the death penalty varies between an extreme abolitionism, for which the death penalty is not applied to any crime (Germany, Austria, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay and Venezuela) , and a moderate conservatism, which is characterized by restricting its application, to a certain number of crimes (Saudi Arabia, China, USA, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru), passing, previously, by an exceptional conservatism, reserved for crimes derived from an emergency situation, as is the case of foreign war (Spain, Italy, Peru in the period between 1979 and 1993)

Death penalty thesis: arguments that are used in favor of the death penalty

The arguments that are used in favor of the death penalty try to demonstrate appealing to rational or emotional criteria, the coexistence of its establishment or conservation in a certain legal system:

a) Historical origin. In line with thesis statement about death penalty, it is pointed out that the death penalty has been practiced by all peoples and at all times and still survives today in some fully developed nations like the USA. Its eradication of the punitive catalog would not make sense because humanity throughout its history has shown itself favorable to its application. It is also pointed out that the restriction of capital punishment does not necessarily imply its disappearance.

b) Preventive effect. Faced with the commission of crimes and serious crimes, the immediate, indifferent and prompt application of capital punishment thesis is postulated with the aim of restoring the normative trust of society in legal norms and law. By executing the culprit, society recovers from the commotion produced by the perpetration of the crimes and potential criminals are intimidated and persuaded about the consequences that their criminal act can bring. The severity of the sanction has a double effect; On the one hand, it allows society to rekindle its confidence in the norms and renew your faith in the law, and on the other hand help to instill fear to all who intend to commit criminal offenses.

c) Criteria of Justice or remuneration. This postulate states that capital punishment is justified on the basis of justice reasons that are summarized, according to the approach of Kant, in a categorical imperative: “You have killed a man, and then you must die.” The penalty, according to this criterion, does not have a preventive sense, but mainly a retributive one that is imposed for the crime committed. St. Thomas Aquinas already pointed out that in the same way that the surgeon must amputate the arm to prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the body; thus, the delinquent must also be eliminated to avoid contaminating society.

d) Utility Criterion. According to criterion of thesis statement on death penalty, capital punishment favors the offender, the treasury and society. The offender benefits because he is provided with a quick and immediate death instead of spending his life “buried alive” in a prison. The supposed utility to the treasury is manifested in the high cost that represents the maintenance of the wrongdoer that is opposed to the lowest sum of the cost of execution. The social benefit would be achieved, in relation to preventive criteria, when society escapes the dangerous presence of the criminal, counteracts the inclination to crime.

Thesis statement for capital punishment: Criminal Code of our country

Deputies from two political parties have proposed a bill so that the death penalty, already contemplated in the Criminal Code of our country, can be imposed on kidnappers, murderers, parricides, sexual violators and perpetrators of enforced disappearance. Allow me to expose, on the death penalty, some theses.

The majority of Guatemalan citizens approve imposing the death penalty, in line with capital punishment thesis statement, on those who commit very serious crimes, such as murder. However, invoking that majority is not precisely the best argument to impose the death penalty. It could be only a minority of citizens who approved to impose it; which would not imply that, then, it should not be imposed. Of course, if a controversy arises over the imposition or non-imposition of the death penalty and until a threatening foreign opposition arises to impose it, consulting the citizens would be an ideal resource.

The death penalty is not completely dissuasive. That is to say, it does not prevent someone from committing the very serious crimes that with the imposition of that penalty are intended to punish. In general, no criminal law can be completely dissuasive; and murders are committed even if the death penalty is imposed on those who commit them, as well as robberies even if a penalty of imprisonment is imposed on those who commit them. It is not valid, then, to argue that the death penalty is useless because it does not prevent murders from being committed, nor is it valid to argue that imprisonment for committing robberies is useless because it does not prevent robberies from being committed.

According to the thesis statement for capital punishment, reliable statistical research shows a correlation, particularly between the imposition of the death penalty and the reduction of murders. They even show a correlation between moratorium on the imposition of that penalty, and an increase in those crimes. One of the investigations was undertaken by professors specializing in crime economics, H. Naci Mocan and R. Kaj Gittings, from the University of Colorado. One of his conclusions was that “each additional execution reduces between five and six the number of homicides; but three additional pardons increase between one and 1.5 the number of homicides.

No legislative, judicial or executive authority should have the power to grant the remedy of grace to those who have been sentenced to death, after the due judicial process has been fully complied with. In this thesis, it is implicit that no authority can have the power to replace the death penalty with a prison sentence, even if it is life imprisonment. The sentence dictated by the judge must be fulfilled. Precisely the appeal of grace can reduce the dissuasive effect of the death penalty.

The right to life cannot be the right of those who have committed very serious crimes, such as kidnapping and murder, and also the right of those who have not committed those crimes. My opinion is that who commits very serious crimes, loses the right to life. It is unworthy to live. It is a social curse that must be eliminated. It can be argued that, in the case of Guatemala, the State protects life; but to protect life it may be necessary that the State itself, that is, the entire legal community of citizens, through the legitimate judicial authority, order the elimination of those who have committed very serious crimes.

The death penalty, while not completely dissuasive, can help save the lives of tens or hundreds of innocent human beings.