How to Write an Effective Argumentative Thesis Paragraph

1. How to Write an Effective Argumentative Thesis Paragraph

2. Read the following argumentative thesis paragraph: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death (Haag 1983).An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

3. An argumentative THESIS paragraph should include: • An interesting beginning to catch the reader’s attention- a statistic, quote, question, statement. • An objective explanation of what the argument is – state the debatable topic. • Factual background information on the subject– lay a foundation to build your argument on. • A claim. Write what your position is on the debatable issue. • A list of the topics you will address in the paper to prove your position. The list of topics should be in the order you will be presenting them in the paper.

4. An interesting beginning to catch the reader’s attention- a statistic, quote, question, statement Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death (Haag 1983).An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

5. An objective explanation of what the argument is – state the debatable topic Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death.” [Van Den Haag 1983] An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

6. Factual background information on the subject– lay a foundation to build your argument on Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death.” [Van Den Haag 1983] An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

7. A claim. Write what your position is on the debatable issue. Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death (Haag 1983).An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

8. A list of the topics you will address in the paper to prove your position. The list of topics should be in the order you will be presenting them in the paper. Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death.” [Van Den Haag 1983] An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.

9. Include an interesting beginning, something to catch the reader’s attention- a statistic, quote, question, statement • Explain what your argument is • Give background/filler information – lay a foundation • A claim. Write what your position is on the debatable issue • A list of the topics you will address in the paper to prove your position. The • list of topics should be in the order you will be presenting them in the paper. Introduction: People fear nothing more than death. Therefore, nothing will deter a criminal more than the fear of death.” [Van Den Haag 1983] An issue that has continually created tension in today's society is whether the death penalty serves as a justified and valid form of punishment. In several parts of the world, the death penalty has been apportioned to those who have committed a variety of offenses from the time of ancient Babylon to present-day America.  The Roman Empire made use of the death penalty liberally, as did the Church of the Middle Ages.  As history tells us, capital punishment, whose definition is "the use of death as a legally sanctioned punishment," is an acceptable and efficient means of deterring crime.  Today, the death penalty remains an effective method of punishment for murder and other heinous crimes. The morality, constitutionality, determent, and cost testify of capital punishment. The penalty should be allowed.