1) Topic of Choice:
• The topic I chose to write my final paper about is " Euthanasia (mercy killing) should be permitted in cases of terminally ill patients."
2) Why did this topic interest me?
This topic resonated with me because I lost my Aunt Shirley in 2012 to cancer. I was unable to witness her final months but I do recall family members telling of how she wished to be done with the pain. She was quoted saying "I wish God would take me now". The pain she felt was just unbearable and to think of her wanting her life to be ended is heartbreaking. She was a very religious woman and believed that the only way to die was if God himself took you out. Euthanasia or suicide was never an option. My focus for this paper will be to highlight both sides of this topic and whether it should remain illegal or become legal for terminally ill patients.
3) 10 Ideas
• Performing euthanasia
• Reasons for performing euthanasia
• Euthanasia in history
• Difference between euthanasia and suicide
• Role of doctors
• The oath of service that doctors take
• Expense of caring for terminally ill patients
• Role of the doctor in treating patients
• The doctor-patient relationship
• Morality of suicide
4) 10 questions:
• What is euthanasia?
• Who performs euthanasia?
• What are terminally ill patients?
• How to measure the level of suffering for one to be considered for euthanasia?
• Should the Government Be Involved for End-of-Life Decision-Making?
• Who decides for Incapacitated Patients?
• If Euthanasia were legal, would Physician-Assisted Suicide Save Money for the American Healthcare System?
• What Is a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR)?
• Is Euthanasia Acceptable for Severely Ill Infants?
• Would Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide Endanger the Elderly?
• Is There a Moral Difference between Active Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide?
Assignment Instructions
Your paper should present a reasoned, convincing argument for a position on a selected topic.(As outlined above)
Write a four to six page paper in which you:
1. Follow the five steps of persuasion: establishing credibility, acknowledging the audience's position, constructing a rationale, transplanting root elements, and asking for a response.
2. Clearly define your position and supporting evidence.
3. Include all the necessary "evidence" for the reader to reach the expected conclusion in each argument in the paper (whether the overriding argument or one contained in an individual paragraph)
4. Ensure that each argument in the paper (whether the overriding argument or one contained in an individual paragraph) is valid and free from both formal and informal fallacies.
5. Include at least four references (sources). At least one of your sources must be obtained from the collection of databases accessible from the Learning Resources Center Webpage.
The paper should follow guidelines for clear and effectively organized writing:
• The paper is well-organized, and every explanation is both complete and easy to understand.
• Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph for the paper.
• Main ideas should be addressed in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
• Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
• The paper should be checked for spelling and grammatical errors.
Respond to the following:
1. What term/terms need to be defined in order to make your paper clear? Provide a definition (and a source, if your definition comes from a dictionary/encyclopedia).
2. What is the position that you are going to defend in your final paper?
3. What are the needs and values (= root elements) that your position defends? (Don't forget to also explain what 'needs and values' are in general as they are defined in Chapter 11; provide references for your explanation.)
4. What is your opponent's position regarding the topic in question?
5. What are the needs and values that your opponent has in mind in defending his or her position?