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The Death Penalty Visual and Rhetorical Analysis

Isabella Tonch
The University of Texas at El Paso
















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The Death penalty has been a punishment for crime since mankind first began to form
society. It is a highly debatable topic as to whether it is wise to continue to use the death
penalty or not. A website entitled balancedpolitics.org demonstrates the facts and stance of
both those who are for and against the use of the death penalty in an article entitled, Should
the death penalty be banned as a form of punishment? The website has a multitude of
controversial topics, it does not focus solely on the death penalty but is described as a
website dedicated to balanced, non-partisan discussion of important societal issues (Messerli,
2014). With this the audience appears to be set toward those who seek information regarding
the death penalty, or to any who desire to formulate an honest opinion on the topic, such as
the general public. Determining whether it is justifiable to continue to sentence people to
death can be hard to do due to all of the factors put into place. Balancedpolitics.org leaves one
the option of deciding what view they side with most. The site does have its shortcomings, as
well as its areas of excelling, in the way of using effective ethos, logos, and pathos, it manages
to clearly convey the information revolving around the subject.
Ethos
The author of this particular article has a link entitled Joe Messerli Credentials,
(Messerli, 2014) this link brings the viewer to a biography page describing why the author of the
article Should the death penalty be banned as a form of punishment? is a credible source. It
displays his work experience and lists his degrees in many fields. There are also links provided
offering information through different sources, other than the author of the article. The site
also quotes reputable names like Albert Einstein and John F. Kennedy. This has the viewer
believing that the pros and cons displayed in the article are legitimate. However, the authors
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objectivity is discredited greatly by the fact that he has an overwhelming amount of
information opposing the use of the death penalty in comparison to the amount of information
he has supporting it. He displays 13 points in opposition and only 9 points in support. The
points of opposition appear to have greater significance because they have more content in
each point. A point opposing the death penalty has a full paragraph whereas one in support of
the death penalty has a mere few sentences. He also asks rhetorical questions such as, do we
really have the resources to waste? (Messerli, 2014) While the author appears to have a clear
bias, it does not discredit the fact that what he writes is, indeed, facts. The article addresses the
topic and comes from a credible source. The author does still hold the professional backing for
the article. Therefore, the article poses a moderate amount of ethos.
Logos
There are a great deal of real life examples used in the points displayed as well as facts
and relation to current events. In the point listed as It is barbaric and violates the cruel and
unusual clause in the Bill of Rights, under a con of the death penalty, he uses the example of
Kim Jong-il, in saying, We condemn people like Kim Jong-il when they murder their own
people while we continue to do the same. (Messerli, 2014) It utilizes a real world situation as
well as a well-known name. Messerli uses facts and statistics such as in his example for a pro of
the death penalty entitled, DNA testing and other methods of modern crime scene science can
now effectively eliminate almost all uncertainty as to a persons guilt or innocence. (Messerli,
2014) He makes claims such as DNA testing is over 99 percent effective a jury of 12 members
must unanimously decide theres not even a reasonable doubt the person is guilty The
number of criminal cases that are plea bargained can be as high as 80 to 90 percent. (Messerli,
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2014) There is a moderate amount of facts and statistics posted making for a logically appealing
article on both ends of the topic.
Pathos
There is a great deal of emotional appeal in this article but not overwhelmingly so. The
emotional appeal can be felt through the adjectives and rhetorical questions. Through this the
reader might feel resentment, sadness, or confusion. The author uses phrases like, Whats to
stop them from murdering people constantly while in prison...What about a person sentenced
to life who happens to escape? What's to stop him from killing anyone who might try to bring
him in or curb his crime spree? (Messerli, 2014) The author provides emotional appeal on both
sides of the argument, with just a bit more on the side against the death penalty. In another
point in the con section of the death penalty, Messerli refers to the popular eye for an eye
saying, claiming that the whole revenge mentality is something people view as holding society
back. He then goes on to say, It is important to send a message to society that striking back at
your enemy purely for revenge will always make matters worse. (Messerli, 2014) The author
provokes thoughts and emotions on the subject through his phrasing as well as his references
and rhetorical questions.
The website is informative and allows the reader to come to a complete decision as to
whether they find the death penalty to be more of a good or bad thing. While it does have a bit
of subjectivity through its presentation it is overall a good source for anybody who desires to
gain a deeper understanding of the issues that arise when people discuss the death penalty.
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Balancedpolitics.org is a source that many could use to become informed on the death penalty
as well as many other controversial topics.
















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References
Messerli, Joe. (2014). Should the death penalty be banned as a form of punishment?. Retrieved
from http://www.balancedpolitics.org/death_penalty.htm