Eddie Mays was the last person to be executed in New York since 1963. Edward I. Koch, who served as the Mayor of New York for the period 1978-89, saw murder rates fluctuate between approximately 1,600 and 2,300. Koch, in order to make a statement on capital punishment for murder crimes, wrote the book “Death and Justice” (How Capital Punishment Affirms life).
In my opinion, he uses all three techniques, ethos, logos, and pathos, to effectively support his argument. The ethos technique is not used much in the essay but the author uses it to gain credibility and establish trust with the reader. Koch (1985), who is a former district leader, congressman and mayor, clearly states that his professional status confirms the fact that he’s well-versed in political issues such as capital punishment. Moreover, he tells his readers about the experience he has gained “during my 22 years of public service”. This sentence shows Koch’s expertise in his field, where his duty is to protect the citizen. He quotes: “I’ve weighed all the arguments carefully and I still support the death sentence”. It shows how Koch is serious about the issue he advocates. This information helps the reader develop his trust, and thus, he is more likely to get their approval.
Koch also uses pathos, a method of appealing to emotions to elicit sympathy in the reader. Firstly, Koch cited Lemuel smith and Richard Biegenwald as two criminals with a history of reoffending. In spite of this, the State Supreme Court had overturned the sentence twice. Another criminal even received “a license to killer” because New York did not have the death penalty. The unjustified facts evoke the reader’s anger at the lack a strict punishment for grave crimes. The fact that Koch uses the latest cases to support his arguments makes readers understand the seriousness and urgency of the issues.
The author uses the example “Kitty Genovese’s murder and assault on a New York City street”. Dozens listened to her cries of help but didn’t do anything. The readers become angry when they read this section because of the lack of consideration of these neighbors. They may have been scared of the murder, and were only thinking of their safety. Not only are the readers angered by the murders themselves, but they also become angry at the negative effects that the murders have on society. The readers are urged to accept the death sentence as a possible deterrent for criminals. The author uses this section to establish a link between him and his readers, so they feel a similar emotion. Koch is able to use these examples in a way that leads the reader’s emotion down his path. Koch uses the logos to convince the reader to accept his point of view by using figures and reasons.
The author starts the essay by presenting opposing views, then he counterarguments them with his own arguments. The reader is made to realize the inaccuracies of the other arguments and becomes more convinced. He uses huge numbers like “In America, between 1963-1980 the murders rate grew by 122 percent”. “In New York City the murders rate also increased by 400%”. A study from M.I.T. shows that “the risk of being killed by a murderer in a big American city is greater than the risk of dying in World War II”. In describing the growing danger for readers without a death sentence, the author uses public figures. In addition, he spends his next paragraph giving a list of official stats: “In New York City from 1976 to 1977, 85 of the 85 people arrested on charges of murder had been previously arrested.” In 1976 and 1977, 85 of the 85 people arrested for homicide in New York City had a previous arrest for murder.
Koch (1985), on the other hand, argues well against the premise that “The Death Penalty is State-Sanctioned Murder”. He uses law content to interpret rights of individuals and state. According to the article, execution is a right that “the electorate has granted” but not “private individuals”. This makes the reader understand the importance of capital punishment as “the foundation for civilization itself”, making them understand why the death penalty is reasonable and legal. All of the above views encourage readers to take the author’s position, which means that they completely meet the author’s expectations. Koch’s reasoning is flawed due to an appeal of authority. He wrote: “The great thinkers of the 19th century – Kant Locke Hobbes Rousseau Montesquieu Mill, Rousseau agreed that Natural Law properly authorized the sovereign taking life in order vindicate justice.” Koch makes use of the names and famous things in order to convince the reader that his argument is valid. This idea does not have the credibility to convince readers. The author uses the logos in a rational way to convince the reader of his position on the death penalty.
Koch, while making some logical errors in his essay, uses the most important devices to support his argument for capital punishment. His credibility as a politician and his work skills are used to capture the attention of readers and evoke emotion. He expects New York City to be a better city with the responsibilities of being a mayor. He uses the essay to make his case for the death penalty and to influence public opinion. I think that most citizens will be persuaded by the arguments and information presented in the essay to accept Koch’s ideas.
