Debate: Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia

Due Date: _________________________

Name: __________________________________________ ID# _______________________

Course: __________________________________ Course/Section # __________________

Your instructor will assign you a position:

1. Assisted suicide should be acceptable and legal.

2. Assisted suicide should not be acceptable and should be illegal.

3. Active euthanasia should be acceptable and legal.

4. Active euthanasia should not be acceptable and should be illegal.

5. Passive euthanasia should be acceptable and legal.

6. Passive euthanasia should not be acceptable and should be illegal.

Although your instructor will assign one side of the debate to you to argue, your paper should cover both sides. Use books, journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles, and the internet to find information on both sides of the debate whether to allow or condemn assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Write a Reaction Paper:

Write a 4-6 page paper on your findings. Your paper should include an introduction, a summary of the main points, and a concluding summary paragraph..

The paper:

• Should be typed, double spaced, 1 inch margins

• Cover sheet should include your name, the title of your paper, your ID#, course name and section number, and the date

• Reference all your sources using APA format

Meet with the other student(s) on your side of the argument Share your ideas and determine your strongest arguments. Decide who will give the presentation and make some notes.

Class Debate:

Each side will be given 5 minutes to present their side of the argument. Those arguing that the benefits outweigh the potential harm of assisted suicide and euthanasia will present their side first. There will be a 3 minute break after the two sides have presented their cases. During this 3 minute break the rest of the class will write individual a one page reaction papers describing their own position on the issue. The two groups will spend the 3 minutes outlining their rebuttal statements. Each group will have 3 minutes to give a rebuttal statement, with the those supporting the legalization and acceptance of assisted suicide and euthanasia presenting first.

Class Vote:

When the debate has ended the class will vote on their position for each debate.