Court Case Write-Up
Remember: All Paragraphs should be between 5-7 sentences!
Paragraph 1: Introduction
It should have:
1) An introduction of yourself
2) State what side of the case you are doing
3) A brief (2 sentences or so) description of the case
4) Why are we here? (What is the major issue?)
Example: “Hello, my name is Jack Smith and I am representing Oklahoma in Thompson vs. Oklahoma.
This case is about whether or not a 15 year old should receive the death penalty. In January 1983
Thompson and his brothers brutally killed their sisters’ boyfriend because they believed that he was
assaulting her. Thompson was later found guilty and sentenced to death due to his role in the murder. We
are here today because the state feels that Thompson should be held accountable for the murder and face
the death penalty.”
Paragraph 2: Body
It should have:
1) More information on the case
2) Weaving in your particular arguments to persuade us that you are the correct choice
Example: At what age does one know right from wrong? At 15, Thompson joined with his brothers and
viciously attacked and killed his sisters’ boyfriend. Thompson. Now we are not here to discuss whether
or not he did it because Thompson was already pronounced guilty. We are here however; because it is our
belief that the death sentence is NOT cruel and unusual punishment for a minor who commits a horrible
crime. At what point is this violating the 8th amendment? Is it the death penalty itself? We have
sentenced his brothers to death for their role in the murder. We as a society have sentenced numerous
others to this punishment for their crime why not Thompson? If I asked the people in the room if murder
was wrong, wouldn’t most of them say, “Yes”! Now if a group of 13 and 14 yr. old can see that, how can
a 15 yr. old not? Related to age, is there a difference between a 15 year old versus the 18 year old mind?
The other side makes it sound like if Thompson was only 3 years older, maybe he wouldn’t have done this
horrible crime. Thompson had decisions to make and he made the wrong ones and thus, we believe he
should receive the ultimate punishment.
3 Questions to ask your opponent
Paragraph 3:
It should have:
1) A summary of your best main points
Example: This case was about choices. Thompson had the choice not to be involved. He had the choice
the call the police if the victim was really beating his sister. He chose none of these. The 8th amendment
talks about no cruel and unusual punishment. Where does that come into play? Thompsons’ brothers
were sentenced to death and no one said that was wrong. Is the other side really arguing that if Thompson
was 3 years old, then this wouldn’t have been an issue? Is there a big difference between a 15 year old
and an 18 year old? We are not talking as if Thompson stole candy and the state wants to kill him. I
Thompson took part in a savage crime and we believe he should pay the ultimate punishment.