A position paper on capital punishment/death penalty that answers, Is law an effective mechanism for social change? by exploring the interplay between legal frameworks and societal transformation through a substance focus, problem, issue, or constituency.

Your introduction should include a thesis that organizes the rest of your paper. Start simple and be clear.

Must include a conflicitng view 

 Is this (capital punishment/death penalty)  a catalyst for social change?  in a way that uses the death penalty as a lens to answer that question.    Instead of “pros” and “cons” construct your paper to answer to this question.

Mention the legal aspects of the death penalty 

I. Introduction

Notice that my thesis is clear: “…law is not an effective mechanism for social change…”.

I also said how I would do this: “Social movement changed public opinions…..Social movement

forced President Johnson to take action… Social movement used pressure of economic

sanctions……

A. Introduce the topic
B. Provide background on the topic

C. Assert the thesis (your view of the issue)

1. Counter Argument
   A. Summarize the counterclaims
   B. Provide supporting information for counterclaims

 C. Refute the counterclaims
D. Give evidence for argument

1. Your Argument

• Assert point #1 of your claims.

1. Give your opinion. (See introduction, where I say how I would support my position)

2. Provide support (Academic source 1- The use of statistical information should be based on your argument, topic, and information. Given my thesis, I would probably use statistical data here to show that public opinions changed before the Voting Rights Act was passed)

• Assert point #2 of your claims

1. Give your opinion

2. Provide support (Informed opinion 1 – academic source 2)

• Assert point #3 of your claims

1. Give your opinion

2. Provide support (Informed opinion 2 –academic source 3)

IV. Conclusion

1. Restate your argument.

2. Summarize what this means about law as a social product, process, and/or agent of social
   change.