Due before paper

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

•      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 (4-6) page paper in which you:

1. Follow the five (5) 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 (4) references (sources). At least one (1) of your sources must be obtained from the collection of databases accessible from the Learning Resources Center Web page.

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.

Your assignment must:

· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

· Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

· Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.

· Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic.

· Write clearly and concisely about issues in critical thinking using proper writing mechanics.