Lesson13 In Favor of Capital

Punishment

Jacques Barzun

Objectives of teaching:

1)Read between lines and understand the text properly;

2)Make a creative reading; 3)Appreciate the text from different

perspectives;　　 4) Understand some difficult words and

expressions; 5) Understanding rhetorical devices

Special Difficulties

Identify and understand technical terms in this essay.

I. Background information about the author A brief introduction to the author, Jacques

Barzun

www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jpriestley.htm

II. Type of literature

a piece of argument

http://teachnet-lab.org/santab/jeff/sbargue_index.htm

http://homepages.iol.ie/~laoistec/LENGLISH/lpers.html

III. Detailed study of the text Para.1-2: Introduction: admitting that many people

of much talent and enlightened goodwill are abolitionists. Para.3 The author states that he could be

convinced to abolish capital punishment on the condition that:

1) Some fallacies and frivolities in the abolitionist argument are disposed of;

2) The difficulties should be overcome instead of being ignored;

3) The safeguards could be found to really meet the difficulties;

III. Detailed study of the text Para.4 The author states that he himself considers the

present way of implementing capital punishment is revolting but this cannot be an excuse for the

abolitionist to against capital punishment. Para 5: The four main arguments advanced against the

death penalty are: 1) punishment for crime is a primitive idea rooted in

revenge; 2) capital punishment does not deter; 3) judicial error being possible, taking life is an appalling

risk; 4) a civilized state, to deserve its name, must uphold, not

violate, the sanctity of human life.

III. Detailed study of the text Para 6-7 Explanation of writer’s agreement on the first pair

of propositions. Para 8-11 Both Barzun and the abolitionists base their

arguments on a brief in the sanctity of human life. Para12 -14: The fallacies of the abolitionists should be

disposed of. Para15-19: The frivolities of the abolitionists should be

disposed of. Para. 20: Our society is far from civilized institutions. Para21-23: Imprisonment is worse than death. Para.25-28 The fault in the present system is not the

sentence but the fallible procedure. Para.29 Conclusion: To abolish capital punishment is to

violate the sanctity of human life.

IV. Organizational pattern 1) The thesis stated in the title of the essay:

In favor of capital punishment 2) In this piece the writer does not appeal

mainly to the emotions of the reader, but try to convince his reader through facts and logical reasoning and by refuting the fallacies of his opponents.

4) Weakness: Many abstract terms in essay remain undefined and vague.

V. Style and language features

1) Smooth and polish 2) Convincing and formal 3) Use of many learned, and

specialized terms 4) Rhetorical Devices

Transferred epithet “ The letters, sad and reproachful, offer me the

choice of pleading ignorance…” “ The assemblage of so much talent and

enlightened good will behind a single proposal …”

Parallelism “ I am asked…” “ I am told…” “ I am invited…”

V. Style and language features

Personification “ No anger, vindictiveness or moral conceit need

preside over the removal of such dangers.” Sarcasm “ it is too bad.” Cvek alone seems instructive,…” “ Failing a second birth …less hypocritical?”

V. Style and language features