PLANNING AN ARGUMENT PAPERDrunk Driving

TOPICS ALREADY COVERED THROUGH PAST TWO PAPERS

Drunk Driving: The Extent

Effects of Drunk Driving: Beyond the Accident

POSSIBLE THESIS Drunk driving is wrong,

irresponsible, and wastes many lives.

In order to reduce drunk driving in the United States, we need tougher legislation, better enforcement, and a higher rate of conviction and incarceration.

Drunk driving rates will not decrease until there is cooperation between legislators, law enforcement, and judges.

MY THESIS WINNER

In order to reduce the rate of drunk driving in the United States, we need tougher legislation, better enforcement, and a higher rate of conviction and incarceration.

OUTLINE – THE THREE MAIN POINTS

Tougher legislation will act as a deterrent to people considering driving after drinking.

Better enforcement such as giving

arresting officers the ability to confiscate licenses on the spot

will discourage people from driving

drunk.

Forcing the judicial system to

incarcerate instead of offering probation for drunk driving will

send a clear message to not drink

and drive.

OUTLINE – THE SUPPORTING POINTS (1)

• Fewer people drive drunk in countries where drunk driving laws are strict – Sweden and Norway are examples.

• There are more drunk driving accidents in those countries where there are few or less harsh drunk driving laws – Some African countries are examples.

Tougher legislation

will act as a deterrent to

people considering

driving after

drinking.

OUTLINE – THE SUPPORTING POINTS (2)

• States where officers can confiscate licenses on the spot until the hearing have reduced drunk driving.

• Sobriety check points near places that cater to drinkers should be allowed without prior notification through the media.

Better enforcement

such as giving arresting

officers the ability to

confiscate licenses on the

spot will discourage people from

driving drunk.

OUTLINE – THE SUPPORTING POINTS (3)

• Second time offenders should not be offered probation before judgment.

• A system of penalties should be created and universally enforced.

Forcing the judicial system to incarcerate

instead of offering

probation to drunk driving

will send a clear message

to not drink and drive.

GOOD ARGUMENTS ARE BALANCED

What are possible objections to each of these main points of the outline?

1. Tougher legislation2. Better enforcement3. Judicial conviction

GOOD ARGUMENTS ARE BALANCED

Possible objection: One person wrote about the

inability of people to measure their own intoxication levels and that the strict law in California is too harsh because judging one’s level of intoxication is complex and difficult. (http://www.cockeyed.com/science/breathalyzer/breathalyser01.shtml)

How I would refute: Regardless of how complex measuring

intoxication levels are, people should practice reasonable drinking and adhere to the guidelines given out for time, amount, weight, and height. And when in doubt, just don’t drink and drive.

1

Tougher legislation

GOOD ARGUMENTS ARE BALANCED

Objection: Some people claim that the

breathalyzer is not accurate enough in judging one’s level of intoxication – blood samples are more reliable. (http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Drivingissues/1104284869.html ).

How I would refute: Law enforcement uses more than

just the results of a breathalyzer test in determining whether someone is too intoxicated to drive. A person will not be convicted simply on a breathalyzer test result.

2

Better enforceme

nt

GOOD ARGUMENTS ARE BALANCED

Objection: Some people claim that

harsh penalties like incarceration for the first offense is too harsh – it disrupts families and can result in people losing their sources of income. (http://www.blog.duiattorney.com/)

Refutation: Tougher penalties are

necessary. One time of driving drunk can result in the death of an innocent driver.

Judicial conviction

BUILD YOUR ARGUMENT WITH DETAILS

Thesis

Main Point 1

Supporting Detail 1.1

Supporting Detail 1.2

Likely Objection & Refutation

Main Point 2

Supporting Detail 2.1

Supporting Detail 2.2

Likely Objection & Refutation

Main Point 3

Supporting Detail 3.1

Supporting Detail 3.2

Likely Objection & Refutation