synthesis paper on capitol punishment

research your topic horoughly and think critically about your chosen issue. I expect you to use outside sources to gather most of this info, so each part you turn in should include appropriate in-text citations and a Works Cited page.

Part 1
What is the issue on which you are trying to form an opinion? Why is it an issue?
Identify: What the issue? What is the thing that people are arguing over? This only needs to be one sentence.
Evaluate: Why is this an issue? What makes people care enough to argue with each other about it? For example, is it a question about legality, morality, right and wrong, or maybe over what course of action should be taken, or possibly are someone’s rights being violated? Etc.

What is your background on and/or experience with the issue? How could this affect your opinion and your ability to think critically about the issue?
Identify: What are some things in your experience, beliefs, background, etc. that may interfere with or impair your ability to analyze this issue objectively? (Once you recognize these, your job is to set them aside as best you can as you finish your research. You can’t truly be thinking critically if you are going to reject ideas and opinions outright because of your background and biases.)
Evaluate: Why/how could these things cause you to be biased or lean towards one side of the issue? Explain.
Part 2
What are the sides of the debate?
Identify: If there is an issue, it means people disagree with each other. What are the different perspectives/sides/ positions/opinions/viewpoints people have on the issue you are exploring?

What are the reasons/arguments given by both sides to support their opinion? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments the different sides give?
Identify: What reasons do the different groups give to support their side of the issue? What data/evidence exists to support the different viewpoints?
Evaluate: Are these valid/good arguments? Are the premises/assumptions of the arguments valid? Discuss. Are arguments given logical? Are any logical fallacies used? Discuss. Is the data/evidence used valid? Discuss.
Part 3
What are some possible consequences and implications if things stay the same with your issue? What if things change (as one side of the issue desires)? Which of these are desired, and which are not desired?
Identify: What are some cultural, social, political, historical, economical, ethical, scientific, technological, or educational consequences (short term or immediate effects) that could happen if one side gets its desired change with your issue? What if things stay the same, as the other side desires?
Identify: What are some cultural, social, political, historical, economical, ethical, scientific, technological, or educational implications (long-term and/or far-reaching effects) if one side gets its desired change with your issue? What if things stay the same, as the other side desires?
Evaluate: Are these consequences and implications positive things you want to happen or negative things you don’t want to happen? Explain.

After doing all of the above research, what position will you argue in your paper?
Identify: Now that you have considered all of the aspects above, what is position/viewpoint/perspective for which you will you argue? In other words, write down the thesis statement you will use in your paper.