Arguments in Just Mercy PDF

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Just Mercy Novel...

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Arguments in Just Mercy What is the overall argument of the text? - What ideas come up repeatedly in the text? -

Abuse of power/corruption in the justice system Mental illness Racial bias Juvenile punishment Mass incarceration Unfair sentencing Dismissing or manipulating evidence Abuse in the prison system

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Which of these ideas permeate the entire text? Is there an overarching theme or argument that underlies all of the issues Stevenson addresses?

We have several issues within the justice system. To start making changes, we need to humanize those who are a part of it.

How is that argument made? - What are the key ways Stevenson develops the argument throughout the text? -

Talking about the background of those in prison Stevenson’s interaction with others on death row History of mental health, abuse, past trauma Describe character of those in prison-relatable Description of Walter-personality, humor After effects of imprisonment Victim responses Prison guard transformation Stevenson’s reactions and personal stories

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How does he use pathos, ethos, and logos to develop the argument?

Pathos- Trina, Antonio, Ian, African American boy who was shot when pulled over, Bryan being searched, Dunkins and Evans botched executions, Walter’s case. Ethos- Shares personal stories of racial profiling, can share the effect; brings in ethics when arguing that all people are broken, Stonecatcher metaphor, includes stories of his own

brokenness when he laughs at the stuttering kid. Logos- Stats that connect to the human stories -

What does he not include in his argument?

People in power-Police, judges Victims of family-doesn’t focus on effect Effect on community except for Walter

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the argument? Why? How effective do you think Stevenson’s argument is? Why? I strongly agree with the argument because of the logic that Stevenson applies towards his assertions. Stevenson’s argument is effective but not very effective because there is no incident where he has praised the justice system for doing good job. Does it mean the justice system is completely broken that all cases are handled in a bad manner?

Argument Analysis Brainstorm What are key issues that are addressed multiple times in the text that it seems Stevenson is making an argument about? -

Abuse of power/corruption in the justice system Mental illness Racial bias Juvenile punishment Mass incarceration Unfair sentencing Dismissing or manipulating evidence Abuse in the prison system Death penalty Lack of access to good legal help Media’s impact Four institutions (slavery, racial terrorism, Jim Crow, mass incarceration Lack of accountability for officials

Choose one issue from the list that you want to analyze. You CANNOT choose the issue Mrs. Grove has designated as the class model. -Mass incarceration

Make a list of anywhere in the text that this issue comes up. Try to be as specific as possible. State briefly how the issue is addressed. This might be a particular anecdote in a chapter, statistics, a key quote by Stevenson, or a whole chapter. Include page numbers where relevant. “The prison population has increased from 300,000 people in early 1970s to 2.3 million people today” (introduction).  “There are 6 million people on probation or on parole” (introduction).  “One in every 15 people born in the United States in 2001 is expected to go in jail or prison” (introduction).  “There are more than a half-million people in state or federal prisons for drug offences today, up from just 41, 000 in 1980” (introduction).  Three strikes sentencing (introduction). -Stevenson has addressed the issue of mass incarceration by providing statistical data on mass incarceration. He has also presented its causes and effects. ...