Expressing an Opinion

The Death Penalty Cannot Be Defended

Some countries still have the death penalty although it no longer exists in many countries, such as Britain. However, after a particularly violent crime, many people call for it to be brought back. In my opinion, the death penalty cannot be defended for a number of reasons.

The first and most important reason is that one cannot be entirely certain that the accused person is guilty. There have been cases when people have been sentenced to death and later it was discovered that they were innocent.

It is often suggested that the death penalty prevent crime and that it acts as a deterrent; however, many serious crimes are caused by a sudden and powerful emotion. In these cases, the individual doesn’t think sensibly and doesn’t stop to consider the risks.

One final argument against the death penalty is that it sets a bad example. The laws of society should reflect its values. If it is wrong for one individual to murder another, then it is also wrong for the society to execute an individual.

To sum up, I believe that the death penalty cannot be defended. There are other ways to punish criminals and these ways should always be tried.

Tips

· Plan before you write. Think of 3 or 4 points to support your view. Make each of them a paragraph.

· Indent! Leave a line between paragraphs.

· Use connectors: Firstly, …Secondly, …Finally, ….

On the one hand, … On the other hand, ….

However, … Moreover, … Therefore, ………………………………….Thus…

In conclusion, To sum up, On the whole…

· Try to use one inverted sentence: Never should we judge others… Not only should we be careful in our judgment…but also reasonable. Only by being reasonable, can we….

· Note that the phrases: In my opinion, I believe, … should appear only in the introduction and conclusion!

· Pay attention to the following important grammar constructions:

No future after Temporals (when, after, before, as soon as, until)

No future after IF conditional!!!

Pay attention to the sequence of tenses. If you began in the past, continue in the past…use: would /could/…

Ex: He said he would do it…

Passive structures: be+V3… (by…)

Despite the fact…(Noun)

In spite of the fact…(Noun)

Although he came late…( Subject+Verb)

Inversion of subject and verb…

Connectors: neither… nor…/both…and/not only …but also/

Unreal Past: I wish I were you… I’d rather you didn’t smoke…

If only we could …

Gerund structures: check the dictionary!!!

It’s worth doing it…/I don’t mind+Ving..etc..

I’m looking forward to receiving your answer..

I’m used to working hard..

I prefer Ving to Ving..

Infinitive: I can’t afford to…buy..

I want you to…We allow you to… It is forbidden to…

Base Form: let my people go… He made me do it…

See also the Grammar section!