Quick question on how to start this paper.?

Question

I have to do a 1-2 page paper on the death penalty to start the instructions say "You will research the death penalty in the united states by selecting you different opinions of the death penalty.

"Make sure you include what the authors opinion is and why the author believes the way he or she does-- summarize the main arguments."

My question is how do i open it up. Could i start with the author of the first editorial believes... because.....

Answer 1

Start by introducing what the paper is about, an introduction.

You can begin with one authors opinion first, but it might be better to start with an example. Then start in on the first authors opinion and why they believe it, the support and reasons (main arguments and support they use if they use any)
Then move to the next argument.

Are you expected to take a side? Or just present the differing opinions.

I usually begin with an introduction stating what the paper is going to cover in the third person. Usually descriptive... something like.. "The death penalty was instated in the U.S. in _ year. Since the very beginning of it's introduction into the criminal justice system it has been a controversial and much discussed blah blah blah...According to _ the death penalty is "......blah blah blah". She goes on to say ... point one, point two point three.... etc. (and then the opposing side...) However, according to _ the death penalty is very _... blah blah blah main point main point main point. etc....
In conclusion, the death penalty has had a long and controversial history in the U.S.... etc and so on and so forth...


Have fun

Answer 2

The best source of information about this topic is the Death Penalty Information Center. Frankly, on the facts, it is much easier to support abolition than retention of the death penalty.
Here are just a few of the facts, verifiable and sourced.

Re: Possibility of executing an innocent person
Over 120 people on death rows have been released with evidence of their innocence, many having already served over 2 decades on death row. If we speed up the process we are bound to execute an innocent person. Once someone is executed the case is closed. If we execute an innocent person the real criminal is still out there and will have successfully avoided being charged.

Re: DNA
DNA is available in less than 10% of murder cases. It’s not a guarantee that we will not execute innocent people. It’s human nature to make mistakes.

Re: Deterrence
The death penalty isn’t a deterrent. Murder rates are actually higher in states with the death penalty than in states without it. Moreover, people who kill or commit other serious crimes do not think about the consequences or even that they will be caught (if they think at all.)

Re: cost
The death penalty costs far more than life in prison. The huge extra costs start to mount up even before the trial. Much of these result from the unusually complicated nature of both the pre trial investigation and of the trials (involving 2 separate stages, mandated by the Supreme Court) in death penalty cases. There are more cost effective ways to prevent and control crime.

Re: Alternatives
48 states have life without parole on the books. It means what it says, is swift and sure and is rarely appealed. Being locked in a tiny cell, forever, is certainly no picnic. Life without parole incapacitates a killer (keeps him from re-offending) and costs considerably less than the death penalty.

Re: Who gets the death penalty
The death penalty isn’t reserved for the “worst of the worst,” but rather for defendants with the worst lawyers. When is the last time a wealthy person was sentenced to death, let alone executed??

Re: Victims families
The death penalty is very hard on victims’ families. They must relive their ordeal in the courts and the media. Life without parole is sure, swift and rarely appealed. Some victims families who support the death penalty in principal prefer life without parole because of how the death penalty affects families like theirs.

Opposing the death penalty doesn’t mean you condone brutal crimes or excuse people who commit them. According to a Gallup Poll, in 2006, 47% of all Americans prefer capital punishment while 48% prefer life without parole. Americans are learning the facts and making up their minds using common sense, not eye for an eye slogans or partisanship.

Answer 3

There probably is a specific case that will end (or has ended) in an execution that is news today..or was recently. Start by describing this and the 'main players'. That way you have a Story to hang the other opinions and convictions on.

Here you can find some numbers on capital punishment:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_penalty
But don't overdo the numbers. A paper should be 'readable' and just plain facts is tough reading.

Answer 4

first tip is to give your paper a catchy sub-title like
"killing the killers" or "judgement day on earth"
or like "playing God"

then your introduction should include historical background of the law in death penalty
tell how it was created and how it works
give statistics if possible, much better the number of people dying each year because of the death penalty

this introduction gives emphasis that the death penalty is 'killing a person'

you can do the rest