Cover Page Draft:

I have decided to do my narrative on capital punishment because many people have mixed feelings on this. Some people feel there are crimes so horrible that only death will satisfy justice. Other people feel that capital punishment is a cruel punishment. In my narrative I will discuss the views of supporters as well as opposing viewpoints.

Outline Draft:

Topic: Capital Punishment

Position/Stance: I feel that each side has a valid point of view, but in our society there are many areas that we have little say in. Is capital punishment one of these areas?

Thesis: In my narrative of capital punishment, I will approach the subject with supporting and opposing viewpoints.

Introduction:

Capital punishment is the legal ending of a person’s life as a punishment for a serious offense. The United States allows each state to decide whether to impose the death penalty, but most states have abolished capital punishment. Witches were among the first to be put to death for crimes in their colonies. This essay will deal with the supporting and opposing viewpoints of capital punishment.

Audience: Those that have an interest in capital punishment.

Purpose: To list supporting and opposing viewpoints of capital punishment.

Main Points:

· Capital Punishment

· Cruel Punishment

· Justified Punishment

Conclusion:

Both supporters and opposers feel strongly that their viewpoint is right. In all fairness each side has a valid point of view, but in our society there are many areas that we have little say in. Is capital punishment one of these areas?

Narrative Draft:

Capital punishment is the legal ending of a person’s life as a punishment for a serious offense. The United States allows each state to decide whether to impose the death penalty, but most states have abolished capital punishment. Witches were among the first to be put to death for crimes in their colonies.

Supporters argue that murderers sometimes commit cruel and unusual crimes, which involve torturing women and children. The scripture in Exodus 21, 23 – 24, which commands, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” and “life for life” may convince some people that capital punishment is acceptable in God’s eyes. The United States is faced with a rising violent-crime rate. The death penalty deters many would be murderers to think twice. Supporters say those that oppose capital punishment would change their mind if it were one of their family members that were murdered.

Opposers may say that God also commands us at Deuteronomy 5:17 to not kill. Should this biblical commandment apply just as much to the government as to the individual? Prisoners awaiting execution often suffer severe emotional problems. The killings the government is allowed are horrifying and these killings are always clinical and in cold blood. According to the U.S. Constitution, capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment, which sometimes take a long time and is painful. Electrocution can take up to 15 minutes, and lethal injection can take more than 30 minutes, causing excruciating coughing spasms. Keeping our equal rights in mind some people argue that someone may be wrongly convicted and executed. Since 1973, many death-row inmates have been released after further investigation. To many, life without parole is much worse than the death penalty, because of the relentless confinement that is dreaded more than death.

Both supporters and opposers feel strongly that their viewpoint is right. In all fairness each side has a valid point of view, but in our society there are many areas that we have little say in. Is capital punishment one of these areas?