Without Capital Punishment Our Lives are Less Secure and Violent Crimes Increases- IELTS Writing Task 2

Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and violent crimes increases. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 – Paraphrase the topic with the use of synonyms. Create a base understanding for the reader, something to expand on in the essay.

Sentence 3 – State that the essay will understand why death penalties help in reducing crimes and help the society.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Mention why death penalties are needed, and how they help the society and safety of people.

Paragraph 2 – Mention that it should be used infrequently. Also talk about how it helps limit retribution, aids the police in limiting crime, and ensures re-offences are sparing.

Paragraph 3 – Argue that all lives should be valued equally, and that death penalties shall not be made an exception to this law. Also talk about how it sets a wrong precedent for people. But, mention that it keeps the streets safe for people.

Conclusion

Restate your views.

Sample Essay

In a bid for additional security, controversy has marred whether to issue capital punishment or not. Experts and concerned citizens are divided over its implementation and if it actually deters crimes. I am of the opinion that death penalties are necessary to maintain a safe environment.

To start with, capital punishment has always been used as a method to deter crime, even before democracies existed. In monarchies, they were extensively used, and crimes were reduced partly because of the fear of being awarded the death penalty. In recent times, capital punishments, like in the USA and Taiwan, have been awarded for fending off criminals and maintaining a safe environment for the local people.

Death penalties should be awarded in extreme scenarios and should be used sparingly. People are innately afraid of death. Hence capital punishments act as a good deterrent against crime. It also helps the local police, acts as a measure to ensure that re-offending doesn’t take place, curtails retribution, and makes lives feel safer at the end of the day.

Capital punishments reduce crimes, yes. But an argument can be made for pleading human decency for the accused, as a democracy values all lives equally. Death penalties also set a wrong precedent for the people as those in power have misused them. All in all, death penalties need to be used sparingly and in extreme scenarios but should not be discarded altogether.

In conclusion, the topic of capital punishment is debatable and has strong views from either side. I feel it is a necessary evil that contributes to maintaining law and order in society.

Vocabulary

• Bid

Meaning – command or order (someone) to do something.
Example – Sahil bids strong actions from his subordinates.

• Marred

Meaning – impair or affect the appearance of something.
Example – Controversy has marred the governmental employment schemes.

• Deters

Meaning – discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
Example – Death penalty deters crimes.

• Fend off

Meaning – to defend oneself from something.
Example – Pepper spray and other tools can be used to fend off criminals.

• Sparingly

Meaning – in a restricted or infrequent manner.
Example – Consumption of paracetamol tablets should be done sparingly.

• Deterrent

Meaning – a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
Example – Her superiority complex acts as a deterrent to make new friends.

• Curtails

Meaning – reduce in extent or quantity.
Example – Military coups curtail the civil liberties and freedom of individuals.

• Retribution

Meaning – punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
Example – He reminded himself not to act out in anger to seek retribution.

• Pleading

Meaning – the action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.
Example – Tarun is pleading not guilty in the robbery case.

• Precedent

Meaning – an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
Example – The judgment set a new precedent.