Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by sanjjeett
Hello students, we are providing English Essays for ICSE students. These essays are useful for ICSE Class 9 and 10 studying students. The resources for English Essays are not proper and organised. So, to help students we have created English Essays Series for ICSE students. In this article, you will find an argumentative essay on “Should Capital Punishment be abolished”
| Subject | English |
| Type of Essay | Argumentative Essay |
| Essay on | Should Capital Punishment be abolished |
| Board | ICSE |
| Class | Class 9 and 10 |
| Important Link | English Essays for ICSE Class 9 and 10 |
“Should Capital Punishment be abolished”? Give your views for or against the statement.
- Introduction: What is Capital Punishment?
- Why it should not be abolished?
- Social reasons: Preserves society from undesirable elements.
- Physiological reasons: Enforces fear of law.
- It is irrevocable form of punishment, hence calls for greater care.
- Increase in crime rate in countries where it has been abolished.
- Conclusion: Should not be abolished.
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” is one of the oldest forms of justice, which we all today know as capital punishment. This is the severest punishment that can be given to a criminal, for indulging in a heinous crime. It entails death to the convict, either by hanging or by electric shock as done in advanced countries. Recently there has been a heated debate on this issue, for it involves taking the life of an individual a right nobody has.
Controlling crime has become a challenge in modern times. The glorifying of violence on television and films has cast an evil spell on the younger generation. The daily newspapers are replete with horrendous crimes, that are getting worse by the day. This is further accentuated by the spurt in cases of terrorism which has claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people. There is therefore need for a deterrent, to restrain such elements engaged in atrocious activities. The most effective way to deal with these rogue elements, is to make capital punishment foolproof and effective, rather than abolish it.
Taking the life of a criminal is indeed inhuman and cruel. However, there is no other way to dissuade such people from committing heinous crimes. Just as we remove a rotten apple to save the basket full of apples, there is need to get rid of these unwanted elements to save the society.
One may argue that justice is fallible and innocent lives could be lost in this form of punishment. To prevent such miscarriage of justice, our legal system has devised multiple stages of trail, the final judgement coming from the Supreme Court. Our criminal laws are more humane, than they were centuries ago. Criminals are known to circumvent the lenient and complex laws, which make them often go scot free. In such a scenario to suggest abolishing capital punishment, would remove the fear from the mind of criminals, and they would take to criminal acts.
The only argument against capital punishment is that it is irrevocable. Valuable lives could be lost if proper justice is not meted out. However, this calls for greater care and scientific investigation by investigating agencies before awarding this form of punishment.
Many western countries like Italy and Holland, have witnessed spurt in cases of murder and heinous crimes consequent to abolishing death penalty. These countries are rethinking on the same. Drawing lessons from them, there is no conceivable reason to abolish capital punishment in India.
There is however need for a thorough review of our present judicial system, to make it more transparent and dynamic. The law enforcing agencies also need to adopt a more scientific and fool proof investigating process. It is only by having a just and dynamic legal system can the criminals be promptly brought to book. The death penalty should be awarded in the rarest of the rare case, for it is advisable to let a hundred criminals go scot free than hang an innocent person.
Looking for more essays? Check out our complete ICSE English Essays Hub for all topics.
Also check
- Representing Your School in a National Inter-School Competition — ICSE Essay
- Rivers and Lakes: Their Commercial and Recreational Importance — ICSE Essay
- Detecting a Bomb on a Train — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Engine Trouble During a Flight — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- A Friend’s Wedding Ceremony — ICSE Descriptive Narrative Essay
- Organising Your Sister’s Wedding Reception — ICSE Essay
- Interviewing a Famous Person at Their Residence — ICSE Essay
- Your First Parachute Jump — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Society Is Influenced More by Show Than by Substance — ICSE Essay
- Events That Shaped Your Personality — ICSE Reflective Essay
- Boat Capsizes During a Picnic — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Two Deeds: One That Gave Joy and One That Caused Regret — ICSE Essay
- Leaving Your Ancestral House — ICSE Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Returning to Your City After Five Years — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Riot During a Cricket Match — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Remarkable Event of Social Importance — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- A Weekly Market Scene — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- The Waiting Room at a Railway Station — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- Being Certain but Later Proved Wrong — ICSE Narrative Essay
- A School Carnival or Fete — ICSE Descriptive Essay
- Achieving a Personal Goal — ICSE Narrative Essay
- Children’s Day Celebrations at School — ICSE Essay
- A Parent Who Influenced My Life — Descriptive Essay
- Teaching Someone a Skill — Narrative Essay
- School Bus Breaks Down in a Lonely Area — Narrative Descriptive Essay
- Where There Is a Will There Is a Way — Reflective Essay
- God Helps Those Who Help Themselves — Reflective Essay
- Work Is Worship — The Dignity of Labour
- A Stitch in Time Saves Nine — Reflective Essay
- Experience Is the Best Teacher — Reflective Essay
- The Path to Success — Qualities Needed for Success
- A Suitcase, a Photographer and a Soldier — ICSE Short Story
- A Boy from Outer Space — ICSE Imaginative Story
- I Do Not Believe in Ghosts — ICSE Short Story
- Knowledge Is Power — ICSE Short Story
- Manners Maketh a Man — Discursive Essay
- Success Depends on Character and Not on Opportunity — Argumentative Essay
- There Is No Scope for Adventure in This Modern World — Argumentative Essay
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Being Young — Discursive Essay
- Role of Advertising in Our Lives — Discursive Essay
- Animals Should Not Be Used in Public and Street Performances — Argumentative Essay
- Which Subject Will Be Most Useful to You in Future? — Argumentative Essay
- Tradition Is an Obstacle to Progress — Argumentative Essay
- Cigarette Smoking in Public Places Should Be Banned — Argumentative Essay
- Which Is More Important: a Healthy Body or a Healthy Mind? — Argumentative Essay
- The Wills, the Won’ts and the Can’ts — Argumentative Reflective Essay
- Men and Women Should Have Equal Rights — Argumentative Essay
- Animals Should Not Be Used for Drug Development or Medical Research — Argumentative Essay
- Teenagers Today Are More Worldly Wise Than Their Parents — Argumentative Essay
- Commercialisation of Festivals Has Eroded Their Real Significance — Argumentative Essay
Guidelines for writing an argumentative essay
- Jot down all the points that come to your mind under the heads ‘for’ and ‘against’.
- Decide whether you are going to write ‘for’ or ‘against’ the statement. In case you are to discuss or give advantages and disadvantages, then you have to dwell on both aspects of the subject.
- Begin with a statement of your assertion on the issue, whether it is for or against the proposition. State its importance and relevance.
- In the body of the composition justify your assertion, by giving practical, and historical evidence, to substantiate your point.
- Begin each point/justification in a separate paragraph, substantiating it logically.
- Refute your opponents arguments/points already listed by you point by point, with practical and historical evidence to support your assertion.
- Don’t use first person. Instead of saying, “I don’t think global warming is worth worrying about”, you may say, “A two degree rise in temperature over the next hundred years makes global warming a trivial problem.”
- Reserve your strong points or argument towards the end.
- Conclude with a well-thought out personal view on the subject.
Pitfalls of writing an argumentative composition
Having chosen your line of argument, do not waiver, by acceding to the point in favour of the opposition. You may only do so if you are required to discuss the subject, where you have to dwell on both the aspects.
Writing this type of composition is very rewarding. You should attempt it only if you have complete knowledge of the subject. Illogical arguments or arguments not properly supported by factual data or evidence would be counter-productive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on English Essays
Q1: What types of essays are included for ICSE Class 9 and 10 students?
A1: Essays for ICSE Class 9 and 10 students typically include descriptive essays, narrative essays, argumentative essays, and reflective essays. These essays cover a range of topics from personal experiences and observations to debates on social issues and creative writing.
Q2: What is the structure of a well-written essay for ICSE exams?
A2: A well-written essay typically follows this structure:
Introduction: Introduce the topic and present the thesis statement or main idea.
Body: Develop the main points or arguments with supporting details and examples. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the topic.
Conclusion: Summarize the key points and restate the thesis in light of the arguments made. Offer a closing thought or reflection.
Q3: How can I improve my essay writing skills for ICSE exams?
A3: To improve your essay writing skills, practice regularly and seek feedback on your work. Focus on organizing your thoughts clearly, using appropriate vocabulary, and adhering to grammatical rules. Reading various essays and writing on different topics can also help enhance your skills.
Q4: Are there specific formats to follow for different types of essays?
A4: Yes, different types of essays may have specific formats:
Descriptive Essays: Focus on vividly describing a person, place, or event. Use sensory details to paint a clear picture.
Narrative Essays: Tell a story or recount an experience with a clear sequence of events and personal reflections.
Argumentative Essays: Present a clear argument on a topic, supported by evidence and counterarguments.
Reflective Essays: Reflect on personal experiences or events, exploring their significance and impact.
Q5: How important is it to adhere to word limits for ICSE essays?
A5: Adhering to word limits is important as it demonstrates your ability to convey ideas concisely and effectively. It also ensures that you follow exam guidelines and avoid overloading your essay with unnecessary information.
Q6: Can you provide tips for writing a compelling argumentative essay?
A6: To write a compelling argumentative essay:
Choose a Clear Position: Clearly state your stance on the issue.
Provide Strong Evidence: Support your arguments with facts, statistics, and examples.
Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge and refute opposing views to strengthen your position.
Conclude Effectively: Summarize your arguments and restate your position in a convincing manner.
Q7: Are there any common mistakes to avoid in ICSE essays?
A7: Common mistakes to avoid include:
Off-Topic Writing: Ensure your essay directly addresses the given topic or prompt.
Poor Organization: Structure your essay logically with clear paragraphs and transitions.
Overuse of Complex Vocabulary: Use vocabulary appropriately and avoid using words you are not comfortable with.
Q8: Where can I find additional resources for writing English essays?
A8: Additional resources for writing English essays can be found in:
Textbooks: Refer to your ICSE English textbooks for guidance and examples.
Online Guides: Explore educational websites and writing guides for tips and sample essays. XamContent offer a large number of English essays for icse students.
