Writing a Persuasive Research Paper Facts Versus Opinions

A Thesis is debatable! Juvenile offenders are "criminals who happen to be young, not children who happen to be criminal." --Albert Regnery

A fact is NOT debatable. Gangs are associated with drugs, weapons and intimidation.

Thesis = Opinion Gang violence and crime can only be changed by addressing the root causes of deviant behavior. If the social needs of young people in gang-heavy areas can be met in healthy ways, gang involvement will be less attractive, and gang-related problems will decline. The word ONLY implies that other ways will not work.

Legalization of certain drugs, some believe, would take away the income from gangs' drug trafficking, resulting in a decrease in gang membership and violence. Opinion: Anti-drug Policies Cause Gang Violence

Anti-loitering laws help prevent gangs. Some local governments have been counting on anti- loitering laws to prevent violence before it happens. Anti- loitering laws give police the power to prevent teenagers and others in gang-ridden neighborhoods from congregating in public. Critics challenged one such law in Chicago on the grounds that it infringed on the right to assembly and to associate with others. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed. The United States Supreme Court also heard the case and found the anti-loitering law gave police too much power and that the situations under which the law would apply were too vague.

Support = Facts Causes for Joining Gangs Young people join gangs for the same reasons that they join other social groups. Some reasons include: Structure Discipline Commitment Sense of belonging Companionship Social Interaction

Support = Facts Certain social conditions commonly exist in areas where gang recruitment is high. The frustration and hopelessness of poverty can increase the sense of being denied the material things that society has available. This strain often leads to the crime and drug trade associated with gangs as a way to earn money and gain personal power.

Questions to Consider! 1. Do you agree that the availability of more programs for young people would lead to a decline in gang membership? Why or why not? 2. What do young people believe they could gain by membership in a gang? 3. Describe some types of community activities or organizations that might help to keep young people from joining a gang.

More Questions! 4. What kinds of skills and behaviors are the most likely to help young people avoid gang involvement? 5. Do you think anti-loitering laws give police the power to prevent teenagers and others in gang-ridden neighborhoods from congregating in public?

Resources! Craig, W., Vitaro, F., Gagnon, C., & Tremblay, R. (2002). The road to gang membership: Characteristics of male gang and nongang members from ages 10 to 14. Social Development, 11(1), Retrieved from Academic Search Alumni Edition database. National Gang Center at