Persuasive Speech Instructions Our persuasive speech will ask ✓ Solved

Our persuasive speech will ask you to persuade your audience to make a change in their behaviors or beliefs. This speech will provide you an opportunity to research an interest of yours, and create a logical argument advocating for your opinion.

Required Steps:

  1. Choose a topic that interests you.

  2. Decide what your ‘Problem’ and ‘Solution’ will be. If you can’t easily tell me what your problem and solution are, your speech will be difficult for me to follow.

  3. Create your MLA outline following the sample.

  4. Record and upload your speech and outline in McGraw-Hill Connect.

Expectations and Requirements:

  • Speech Topic: Any topic is acceptable, as long as you advocate for a change in behavior or beliefs.

  • Speech Length: Between 3-6 minutes.

  • Research: 3 Source Citations Needed.

  • Delivery: Extemporaneous.

  • Outline: Must be saved as a Microsoft Word File (.DOCX).

Suggested Steps to Writing your Persuasive Speech (Problem/Solution):

  1. Figure out what is your Problem/Solution.

  2. Work on the research.

  3. Outline your problem/solution.

  4. Write your Intro/Conclusion.

  5. Create Works Cited / In-Text Citations.

  6. Create your Notecards.

  7. Practice and polish your speech with a focus on your Attention Getter / Full Circle.

For the purposes of this assignment, elderly is defined as individuals who are 70 years of age or older.

Your paper should have 4 distinct parts:

  1. Introduction: Include your relationship with this person, how you chose this particular person to interview, and a brief biographical sketch.

  2. The Interview: Summarize the information that was shared relating to the topics noted above.

  3. Identify the givens of existence that were present in the person’s stories. Present your analysis of the various ways that the givens manifest in the person’s life. Incorporate at least 3 scholarly references as you speak to the givens.

  4. Reflections: Present a discussion of your experience of being with this person and what you learned.

The length of this paper should be 7-10 pages excluding title and references pages. No abstract is needed.

Paper For Above Instructions

Title: The Importance of Euthanasia Awareness and Change

Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, is a contentious issue that ignites passionate debates across ethical, medical, and legal domains. The question of whether individuals should have the right to choose death as an escape from unbearable suffering is not only an ethical dilemma but also a personal one for many families confronted with devastating illnesses. Thus, this persuasive speech aims to foster a change in beliefs regarding euthanasia and ultimately advocate for its abolition.

The problem of euthanasia arises from the ambiguity and complexity surrounding life-sustaining treatment and the right to die. Many healthcare professionals express uncertainty when identifying terminal conditions, as demonstrated by a study where 50% of physicians were unable to accurately define a patient's life expectancy (Lee, 1996). With such uncertainty, the decision to terminate life becomes inherently precarious and may lead to unintended consequences. Would society uphold the death penalty if judges were uncertain about a defendant's guilt? This rhetorical question underscores the gravity of the potential for error when it comes to euthanasia.

Moreover, current laws against euthanasia are not effectively enforced, leading to an increase in physician-assisted suicides. Jack Kevorkian, known for his controversial practices, assisted in 69 suicides, of which many involved individuals who were not terminally ill (International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force, 1999). In Oakland County, groundbreaking statistics reveal that only 16 of these autopsies involved terminal illness, while 48 were linked to non-terminal conditions (IAETF Update, 1999). Such alarming data points to a grave issue where the enforcement of euthanasia laws is structurally lacking.

The solution to this multifaceted problem centers around instituting stringent laws with severe consequences for those who engage in euthanasia practices. Stricter sentencing guidelines akin to those for first-degree murder would act as a powerful deterrent. Individuals convicted of assisting in euthanasia should be subjected to the same penalties, ensuring that physicians do not take on the role of arbiters of life and death. As Dr. Samuel F. Hunter aptly states, we must view medical professionals not as "angels of death but ministers of healing and hope" (Hunter, 1989). It is imperative that doctors focus on prolonging life, providing comfort, and alleviating suffering without hastening death.

However, critics of this stance might argue that quality of life should take precedence over the duration of life and that individuals should retain the autonomy to choose their deaths. While such sentiments are certainly valid, they fail to address the potential for abuse and misdiagnosis in euthanasia cases, highlighting the necessity for caution and stringent regulation. In this light, advocating for a petition that encourages Congress to consider revising euthanasia laws can provide an alternative means for individuals to express their wishes regarding end-of-life care while working within a legal framework that prioritizes patients' rights and protections.

In conclusion, the persuasive case against euthanasia hinges on significant medical, ethical, and legal factors. Based on the discussions presented, it’s clear that euthanasia should be criminalized due to both the substantial risks involved for patients and the prevailing efficacy of existing laws. I urge everyone to critically examine their beliefs surrounding this issue and contemplate the significance of life, no matter how challenging it may be. If faced with similar circumstances as my grandfather, I hope these reflections will resonate deeply and encourage discourse about the sanctity of life. The journey of Karen Ann Quinlan serves as a powerful reminder of the unknown possibilities that lie ahead; she defied medical predictions and continued living for nine more years after she was taken off life support. Ultimately, these considerations compel us to advocate for the preservation of life and resist the societal inclination toward legalized euthanasia.

References

  • Hunter, Samuel. “Should Doctors Take Part in Planned Suicide?” Journal of the American Medical Association. (1989): 161.

  • "IAETF Update." International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force. 13 April 1999.

  • Lee, Melinda A. “Legalizing Assisted Suicide – Views of Physicians in Oregon.” New England Journal of Medicine. (1996).

  • Quill, Timothy E., and Michael M. Kuehn. "The Author's View: The Role of Physicians in Assisted Suicide." Health Affairs. (2001): 112-123.

  • Florida, Legal. “Euthanasia Repeal Act.” Florida Legislative Journals, (2012).

  • Keown, John. Euthanasia, Ethics and Public Policy: An Argument Against Legalization. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

  • Rachels, James. Active and Passive Euthanasia. 1986.

  • Smith, M. "Legislative Proposals on Euthanasia." Modern Law Review. (1995): 678-695.

  • Beauchamp, Tom L., and James F. Childress. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press, 2013.

  • Sulmasy, Daniel P. “The Definition of Death: The Relevance of Brain Death.” Journal of Medical Ethics. (2016): 98-106.