Family of murdered Denice Fox pleads for justice

Ben Amato | Educational consultant

"Let the punishment match the offense."br> Cicero--106 BC to 43 BC

Persuasive Writing - ELA Standards 1, 3 and 4

The horror of violent crime extends beyond the capture of the criminal, for sometimes the trial itself prolongs the torment for those associated personally with the act. This is evident in the murder of Denice Fox and the sentencing of her killer, Evan Marshall. Today's lesson looks at the sentencing of this admitted killer and how many feel justice was avoided.

TV Component

The CW 11 News at Ten has a video detailing the brutal murder and the plea bargain that may one day allow the killer to walk the streets again. View the video clip twice, the first time jotting down notes on its content and theme. The second time, refine those notes and use them to answer the LISTENING QUIZ about the news clip.

Newspaper Component
Today's edition of Newsday has an article titled "Family of murdered Denice Fox pleads for justice." Read the article and then using the facts and details within, complete the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle.

Language Arts Component

Critical Lens
"Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness; it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest in."
Benjamin Franklin--1706 - 1790

Prior to the sentencing of the killer of Denice Fox, the victim's family has a chance to speak to the judge and voice their cries for justice. As presented in the article and video, they feel the plea bargain does not punish Evan Marshall for his brutal acts.

Situation
Write a PERSUASIVE ESSAY about your feelings about Marshall's horrific crime and his plea deal which one day allow him freedom.

The Nature and Structure of a Persuasive Essay
The goal of a PERSUASIVE ESSAY is to sway the reader to your opinion. Using facts and details, an argument is presented, designed to sway your reader's mind and convince them of your interpretation. It is usually framed in three sections.

INTRODUCTION
This paragraph begins the essay and starts off with a STATEMENT OF TOPIC. In the opening sentence establish WHAT the essay will be about. Then describe WHO should be concerned about this topic and WHY it matters to this audience. End this introduction with your own OPINION about the crime and the arranged punishment.

BODY
This section concerns the actual SPECIFIC FACTS about the puppy story. Arrange the details according to an ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, where the most significant information comes first, with the less significant details later in the paragraph.

This section may be longer than just one paragraph, depending on how many facts and details you gather from the article and television news story. Use the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle and the answers to the Multiple-Choice Quiz as a RUBRIC, so you can see if all the important facts have been included and described.

CONCLUSION
This section of persuasive writing is your final attempt to sway your audience, so restate the TOPIC and your OPINION about the issue. Select the one most important detail which might sway your readers. Consider the two quotations included in this lesson and expanding upon their themes. What do you believe is a just punishment for Evan Marshall? Always end this portion of a Persuasive Essay with a look to the future. Does the arranged punishment for this murderer have any effect on potential murderers?