Argue against some specific instance of a general (common) vice or moral fault (drinking, gambling, greed, adultery, cowardice, etc.) or condemn a type of person (not a specific person) exhibiting that vice, beginning with the following steps (as is elaborated in the example on page 149-150 of your handout):
- Introduce the evil deed--tell what it encompasses, including an undisputed general statement with which most rational people would agree (Ex: "Because laws and courts of justice are part of our democratic system, the person who breaks those laws must pay the penalty" or "The deed of murder is so terrible that it is impossible to feel pity for murderers or to show leniency toward them.")
- Contrast it with a virtue. (Ex: "Our ancestors planned a system of government free of domination from an autocratic ruler...")
- Give an exposition of an instance of the vice/moral fault--describe it in a dramatic fashion: what happened? what followed? etc.
- Compare this vice/fault with one that's worse (to suggest that it's damn near that bad).
- Show that the act demonstrating the vice/moral fault was done intentionally.
- Reproach the wrongdoer’s past life.
- Demand that no pity be shown for this instance of this vice/moral fault.
- Argue that it would be legal, just, expedient, honorable/practical to impose punishment--each in a separate paragraph.
Label each element as in the example on p. 149-150. The example on page 147-149 follows the same steps but categorizes them differently. Take a look at both examples before you begin.