You have the honor of sitting in for the presiding judge at the sentencing hearing of the criminal trial of Antonio Lopez Ramos, aka Mendez.

Mendez has already been convicted of his crimes. You must now make a tough decision. Should you give him a heavier sentence or a lighter sentence? There is no choice in the middle.

Two attorneys stand before you, both eager to make their case for sentencing.

The prosecutor, let’s call him “John,” demands a long jail sentence. He happens to be a great admirer of the Catholic catechism on Hell, although he doesn’t believe in religion, heaven, or even the existence of a hell below us. Still, he uses the Catechism’s central message as a foundation for his argument for the harsher sentence.

The defense attorney, Jean-Paul Sartre, pleads for a lighter sentence. He is an atheist, too, but he thinks the message of the Catechism is a distorted view of the world. He draws upon a sharply contrasting view of the human condition to justify a lighter punishment.

After listening to both sides, you are in the uncomfortable position of having to decide Mendez’s fate: What does Mendez deserve, a harsher or a lighter sentence?

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Assignment: Please write an essay of 3 – 4 (no more!) double-spaced pages in which you state your decision and justify it by considering both attorneys’ arguments. Your essay should also have a carefully chosen title.

In writing your essay, you will need to identify the central issue in the “debate” between the two attorneys. Be sure that the attorneys are arguing about the same issue; otherwise their arguments will fly right past each other. Since I have stipulated that both attorneys are atheists, you should not use religious faith to justify your decision about Mendez. Thus, you must imagine what a secular version of the Cathechism’s argument would look like.

Think hard about the organization of the first paragraph of your essay. This paragraph will set up the structure for the rest of your essay. A strong introduction should identify the following: the issue; the two sides’ opposing perspectives; and your stand on the topic. I also suggest that you provide a brief road map to guide the reader.

In outlining both sides’ positions, you should cite your readings. You should also take into account our class discussions as well as my comments on your paragraphs. Do not do any further research.  When referring to your readings, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is fine to use short quotations, but don’t let them fill up your scarce space. Also, indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.

Don’t forget the Shaker hymn: “ ‘tis a joy to be simple . . .”  State your argument boldly; justify it in a logical fashion; when you are done, stop.

The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! It is fine with me if you discuss this assignment with your classmates (but no one else). However, do not ask them or anyone else (outside of the Writing Center) to read or critique the essay. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own work.  In addition, do not use ChatGPT or any of its evil kin in any way in completing this assignment.  I know each of you well enough that I can hear your voice when you write.

I strongly encourage you to share your essay with someone in the Writing Center. (Get an appointment soon). We–both you and I–always benefit from having an outsider read what we have written. They also send me nice notes about your visits.

Finally, I will be glad to read and comment on the first paragraph and first sentence of the second paragraph of your essay.  To guarantee that I can help on time, send me this material no later than February 20, the Thursday preceding the deadline. 

This assignment is both straightforward and challenging. I strongly recommend that you begin it immediately. The sooner you begin, the easier it will be to write a coherent argument. Write your first draft in long hand, set it aside, and then return to it after your ideas have percolated through your mind. My expectations are not unreasonable. I merely expect you to compose the 3 – 4 best pages of prose that you have ever written in your life.

Your essay should be in Word format (no PDF or any other mysterious format that I can’t edit).

Your essay must conform to the guidelines in my Tips on Great Writing.

You must submit your essay Monday, February 24, at 12:00pm.

See the information about assignments and grading on the Requirements page. I am giving you a lot of time to write this essay. I will only allow extensions if you provide ample documentation, such as a doctor’s excuse.

Please observe all of these rules without exception. If you tend to forget things, as I do, re-read these rules and internalize them.

When you are finished, please re-read these instructions one final time before you submit your essay.