Select one of the following prompts to serve as the basis for a persuasive essay. Take a firm stance on the prompt and write a 5-paragraph, double-spaced essay supporting your position. Make sure that you have a strong thesis statement at the end of your introduction and clear topic sentences in each body paragraph that provide arguments in support of your thesis. Be sure to provide textual support to buttress each of your claims.

Answer 1

Prompt: Should capital punishment be abolished?

Thesis Statement: Capital punishment should be abolished because it violates human rights, it is ineffective in deterring crime, and there is a risk of executing innocent individuals.

Introduction:
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has always been a controversial topic. While some argue for its necessity as a deterrent and a form of retribution, others believe it violates fundamental human rights. This essay takes a firm stance against capital punishment, arguing that it should be abolished due to its violation of human rights, its lack of effectiveness in preventing crime, and the potential for executing innocent individuals.

Body Paragraph 1:
Capital punishment violates human rights. Every individual has the right to life, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The death penalty infringes upon this fundamental right by taking away the life of the convicted individual. The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly called for the abolition of capital punishment, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the right to life for all individuals.

Furthermore, the process of capital punishment often involves cruel and inhumane methods, such as lethal injections, electrocution, or even hanging. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishment, a provision that is violated by capital punishment.

Body Paragraph 2:
Capital punishment is ineffective in deterring crime. Many supporters argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to potential criminals. However, numerous studies have shown that there is no credible evidence to support this claim. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, there is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty has a significant deterrent effect on crime rates. Countries that have abolished capital punishment, such as Canada and many European nations, have not experienced a rise in crime as a result.

Moreover, the possibility of a life sentence without parole serves as an equally effective deterrent to potential criminals. The threat of spending one's entire life behind bars is just as likely to discourage individuals from committing heinous crimes as the fear of execution.

Body Paragraph 3:
There is a risk of executing innocent individuals. The justice system is not infallible, and there have been numerous cases where innocent individuals have been wrongfully convicted. The irreversible nature of capital punishment leaves no room for rectifying these errors. The Innocence Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing, has successfully overturned the convictions of over 360 people, including some who were on death row.

The risk of executing innocent individuals is too great to justify the continuation of capital punishment. It is a moral imperative to prioritize justice and prevent the possibility of a tragic and irreversible mistake.

Conclusion:
Capital punishment should be abolished due to its violation of human rights, its lack of effectiveness in deterring crime, and the potential for executing innocent individuals. The death penalty is a cruel and outdated form of punishment that has no place in modern society. As a society, we must strive to protect human rights, promote effective means of crime prevention, and ensure that justice is served without the possibility of irreversible mistakes. By abolishing capital punishment, we take a significant step towards a more just and compassionate society.