" This is a fallacy because it assumes facts not in evidence and makes a statement that appears to be factual when it is opinion.
7 State one argument made by the author. Each additional execution appears to deter between three and 18 murders. While opponents of capital punishment allege that it is unfairly used against African-Americans, each additional execution deters the murder of 1.5 African-Americans. Further moratoria, commuted sentences, and death row removals appear to increase the incidence of murder
8 Identify the premises and conclusion of the argument. Premise = legal execution has positive effects; conclusion: continued use of capital punishment will save lives.
9 Is the author's argument valid or invalid, sound or unsound, strong or weak? Explain how you determined this. Author's arguments are sound and strong, using selective data to prove case, using academics and law enforcement information to appeal to audience.
10 Does the author use
Deterrence and betterment for society are moral arguments; if A happens B. results, therefore if A is positive for society, it is moral. Most of Muhlhausen's arguments surround the morality of protecting society by using harsher legal means.
American Civil Liberties Union. (2004). "Capital Punishment Should be Abolished." In T. Roleff, ed., Opposing Viewpoints: Criminal Justice. San Diego: Greenhaven Press.
1 Identify the principal issue presented by the source. The death penalty is not administered fairly; studies have found that the defendant's race, geographic location, and economic status greatly influence whether or not capital punishment is imposed.
2 Identify any examples of bias presented by the
