DP-The+Process

Introduction The Task The Process The Due Dates Evaluation Resources

Part I Part II =The Process:= 

Part I
Top 1. Determine how you will organize information in your notes page. Record all information and activities throughout the project in your notes including brainstorming questions, notes from your research, and any other pertinent information.

2. Conduct research on California's capital punishment and answer these questions:

Begin working on your notes page.
 * What is **capital punishment**?
 * Are there any alternatives to capital punishment?
 * What type of execution method does California currently use ?
 * What is meant by [|Pro] capital punishment?
 * What is meant by [|Con] (Anti Capital Punishment)?
 * [|Moratorium] means?
 * How many people were given capital punishment in California in the last 10 years?
 * How many people were given capital punishment in California since 1976?
 * For what crimes were they given capital punishment?
 * What is the relationship to people given capital punishment to people who commit similar types of crimes?
 * Have any juveniles been given capital punishment?
 * What is the number of women who have been given capital punishment ?
 * Do both [|women] and [|men] get capital punishment equally?
 * Are all races given capital punishment equally?
 * Are all socio economic classes given capital punishment equally?
 * Is capital punishment a deterrent to crime?
 * Who is most likely to get capital punishment?
 * Is it a violation of their constitutional rights?
 * What are five objections to capital punishment?
 * What are five arguments for capital punishment
 * What is current public opinion of capital punishment (research poll data)?
 * What are the [|myths] concerning capital punishment?
 * What moral concerns are brought up by capital punishment?
 * Who decides if a law is constitutional or not?
 * What are the [|procedures] for a person given the death penalty?
 * What is the name and address of the governor? Of your member of congress? Of your senator?
 * How do you contact your local paper to submit a letter?
 * Are innocent people ever given capital punishment?
 * Collect any other important or interesting facts.





Part II
Top Now that you and your group have completed your research of capital punishment and the death penalty, write out the top five arguments for and against the death penalty.

As a group, add these Arguments to your project page, listing your arguments (2-3 sentences each) for and against from the weakest argument to your strongest argument:

Pro:

 * Argument 1 (weakest)
 * Argument 2
 * Argument 3
 * Argument 4
 * Argument 5 (strongest)

Con:

 * Argument 1 (weakest)
 * Argument 2
 * Argument 3
 * Argument 4
 * Argument 5 (strongest)

Outline Your Persuasive Essay:
Top As an individual, decide for yourself which position you will take (pro or con) and write out an outline for your self that **(I.)** states **your position (pro or con)** in the first part of your outline, then **(II-IV)** states **three of your strongest arguments** in support of your position, and finally **(V)** states your **strongest argument** in support of your position.

[|Persuasive Writing] (Scroll down the paged for instructions on creating an outline)

Writing the Essay:
Top Use the following links to help you in preparing your outline and in writing the drafts of your **//persuasive essay//**.

[|Persuasive Writing] [|The Five Paragraph Essay: Persuasive Writing] [|Writing Workshop: Persuasive Writing]

The Business Letter:
After completing the essay writing process you will revise your essay a final time as a business letter addressed to one of the following:

To Contact:

Dana Rohrbacher District Office 101 Main Street, Suite 380 Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814

Daily Pilot 1375 Sunflower Avenue Costa Mesa, California 92626