The Controversial Legality of Capital Punishment… Is It Ethical?

In a Memo to me, write 250-450 words:

– Which general topic have you selected? Which controversial issue on that topic will you focus on? (For instance, medical marijuana in Utah is a topic, whether it should be legal is an issue).

– Why is it important to focus on this issue now? That is, why is it timely ​and ​exigent​.

– Whom do you imagine as an audience? (Of course, I know I’m actually grading your writing, but I may not be among the people you imagine in your audience. So, help me role play: what do I need to know about the people who are interested or should be interested in this topic and the specific issue? Keep in mind that I’ll be role playing as I grade your eventual submissions).

– What position, if any, do you currently have on the issue?

– If you have a working claim, what is it? If you’re not sure, what question(s) are you asking? (For instance, your working claim about medical marijuana in Utah might be that it’s best for it to be as unregulated as possible to allow as much patient access as possible. If you’re not quite that clear yet, your question might be “how much regulation of medical marijuana in Utah is appropriate given a need for patients to access it?”)

– What sources do you think you’ll need to locate?

– What rhetorical strategies you anticipate will be effective (for example, a
strong emotional appeal? A delayed thesis?).