Adolescence refers to the period of transition from childhood to adulthood. The country’s legal framework should consider the psychological and social problems of such minors when adopting legislation on crimes committed by them. This fact means that when sentencing adults in court, the state of their mental development should be considered. It remains to be seen how legitimate and reasonable it is to involve teenagers in adult court proceedings. The author uses various stylistic techniques that make the structure of the text holistic and consistent. This fact helps the reader understand the essence of what is happening, evoke strong emotions, and then with the help of facts, substantiate the significance of the thesis and the ambiguity of the situation.
I assume the author set out to explain the need for such a measure in several cases, both for teenagers and their parents. I do not disagree with the author, and therefore I consider his arguments and examples appropriate for readers they will be able to convince them. Human rights organizations can form resistance in this matter and their concerns can be understood. It is difficult to resist them because organizations act out of the interests of minors and their parents, relying on the traditions of humanism.
I agree with the author’s position that such conduct of crimes as murder and violence should have appropriate adult court sanctions. However, one should not think that these sanctions will be expressed in the form of the death penalty or life imprisonment. The author rightly emphasizes that minors can have equal access to legal protection. Of course, through the peculiarities of human physiology, the narrator tries to confirm the fact that minors, in most cases, commit crimes unknowingly. It follows from this conclusion that sanctions should not be extremely tough but, at the same time effective. This argument can reassure and encourage the audience and me, so I choose the side of the narrator.
The author uses two techniques – pathos and logos- to first evoke readers’ empathy and then force them to turn to reason, which in some cases is necessary to resort to the measures mentioned. Such rhetorical techniques control people’s behavior and allow them to more critically perceive the information that is available to them at the moment. With the help of such techniques, the author’s arguments look strong and trustworthy among readers.
The pathos style evokes different and contradictory emotions in readers that should help the author substantiate his thesis. This technique confirms the thesis in several statements: “American prosecutors do not abuse this sanction” (Backstrom). With this statement, the author emotionally convinces readers that the legal system does not violate justice and acts more gently towards the imperfect. The author further adds that “judges thoughtfully and professionally ensure compliance with the codes,” which assures readers of the professionalism of the judicial administration (Backstrom). Difficulties in deciding by a judge are highlighted by the statement that “it is difficult to decide on bringing to justice… It is justified” (Backstrom). Pathos helps readers to change their emotional attitudes toward the situation.
Logos are used when the author needs to confirm his thesis with reliable facts and research. At the beginning of his narration, the author mentions a study according to which “recent scientific studies have shown that the brain of most people is not fully developed until the age of 20” (Backstrom). Further, the author refers to a study that suggests that “most teenagers understand the difference between right and wrong,” which means they deserve an adult trial in several cases (Backstrom). The narrator complements his narrative that “about a third of the states use a mixed sentencing model,” which is relevant for serious crimes (Backstrom). Thus, the author tries to transfer the reader to his side with the help of known and proven facts about the justice of the judicial system.
Works Cited
Backstrom, James C. “The Criminal Justice System Should Treat Some Juveniles as Adults.” Juvenile Crime, edited by Louise I. Gerdes, Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints. Web.