Thursday, June 7, 2007

Bring Back Flogging

Title: Jeff Jacoby writes about how we should "Bring Back Flogging", which is the title of the essay. He is not fond of the punishment people are given for crimes in the United States. His title says exactly what he thinks our governement should do about the bursting penal system. His opinion is to use a different form of punishment, such as one dated back to the early days of our country. Jacoby wants flogging to be a practice one again.

Thesis: Jacoby's argument is how our punishment for criminals is just not working anymore. Crime rates are going up and prisions are too full. He sees the problem and wants a solution. Jeff Jacoby believes the penal system is not an effective punishment anymore because it is a such a humane, easy punishment, and that our nation needs to have corporal punishment again.

Purpose: Jacoby's purpose in this essay to persuade the reader. He wants the reader to realize the prisions are bursting and because of that criminals are getting reduced sentences. Jacoby has the message he needs to get out: crime rates are going up because the punishment is just not horrible enough. The number of people behind bars has skyrocketed and something needs to be done. Jacoby wants the public to see just how bad it is because so many people lack the knowledge of the situation. Too many politicans say towns are becoming "safer". He wants people to know that crime rates are not getting any better and prisions cannot handle anymore. He wants to persuade people to want corporal punishment back.

Method: Jacoby's essay method is done through using statistics and facts about the punishment of criminals and other details which are very important. He informs and then tries to persuade with the facts. He also uses his opinion in many parts of the essay so the reader knows he feels very strongly about this subject and wants that to come across to the reader as serious. He uses the examples of corporal punishment from the 1600's and how it worked. His examples, facts, and details of the truth are an effective method. His opinion only strengthens what is said.

Persona: Jacoby can be made out to be a man whos opposes what our country does. He hates the juidical system, at least sounds like he does, from what he claims. He hates to see the crime rate going up so the reader can tell he cares about the common wellfare of our country. Jacoby could be said to be old-fashioned and strict.

Closing: Jacoby is not a fan of the current punishment system for criminals. He wants to see a change in the crime rate and the prisions getting to not be so full and bursting. A man of the truth, he sees what is happening with criminals and wants the best for the country. He might be seen as strict because of this essay, but his argument is effective and should catch the attention of our government.

Impressions: I see Jacoby as a smart man with his words. I like to see how his method is done with the use of examples and facts. I enjoy reading his opinion because I do agree to a large extent with what he says. The prision system is just not effective and he sees a possible solution that could just do the right change our country needs. I hate to see the crime rates going up like Jacoby does. Something needs to happen: Too many people get off the hook with punishment.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Dont you think his article is not an argument but more of a satire. He uses satire by bringing up a problem and giving out a ridiculous solution. Who would want to embrace something from the puritans? It is a strong essay, but it is week because because the reader doesnt know if he really is arguing for "flogging" or he is just using satire to show that their is a problem and we need a solution.

Unknown said...

At first, I thought it was satire as well. But after looking more into the author and his positions, this very well may be argumentative.