Literature Review First Paragraph with Thesis Statement

A constant debate swirls around the issue of euthanasia. Each piece of literature has its own focus, but there are two common themes between all of the literature I reviewed. These themes include the public’s knowledge of euthanasia and how that correlates to accepting or denying its practice. The next and last theme is increasing rapidly, it is the idea of the judicial system and it’s impact on the public’s view of euthanasia. Despite the major themes found throughout these journals, this paper will focus mainly on what the two themes stem from which is the environmental influences.

6 Professional Journal Articles

1.      Switzerland has the longest history of legalization of Euthanasia for those who are and are not terminally ill. Recently, the Swiss Supreme Court ruled in favor of assisted suicide in psychiatric patients who wish to die.

Appel, J. M. (2007). A suicide right for the mentally ill?. Hastings Center Report, 37(3), 21-23. Retrieved from     http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

2.      Euthanasia is a common topic of issue not only in the United States, but also in Europe. A person’s view on this hot topic whether for or against depends on the knowledge they have about assisted suicide.  

Castello, A., Frances, F., & Verdu, F. (2009). A role for judges in assisted dying. Journal of Medical Ethics & History of Medicine, 2(1), 1-3.Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

3.      This journal article discusses both sides of euthanasia, but it takes a closer look into whether euthanasia is occurring because it is easier to NOT prosecute someone.

Lesser, H. (2010). Should it be legal to assist suicide?. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16(2), 330-334. Retrieved from      http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

4.      Palliative care is the focus of this journal article. It takes about the repercussions that euthanasia has on families and how misinformed the public really is when it comes to assisted suicide.

Pereira, J., Anwar, D., Pralong, G., Pralong, J., Mazzocato, C., & Bigler, J. M. (2008). Assisted suicide and euthananasia should not be practiced   in palliative care units. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 11(8), 1074-1076. Retrieved from      http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?    tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

5.      This article discusses the Terri Schiavo case, in which the Florida courts granted her husband the right to decide to have her feeding tube removed.

Ponnuru, R. (2005). Reasons to live. National Review, 57(7), 42-44. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?    tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

6.      This article addresses whether a person can “lawfully” help another person commit suicide. 

Samuels, A. (2005). Complicity of suicide. Journal of Criminal Law, 69(6), 535-539. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

4 Professional Journal Articles

1.      Euthanasia is a common topic of issue not only in the United States, but also in Europe. A person’s view on this hot topic whether for or against depends on the knowledge they have about assisted suicide.  

Castello, A., Frances, F., & Verdu, F. (2009). A role for judges in assisted dying. Journal of Medical Ethics & History of Medicine, 2(1), 1-3. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

2.      This article addresses whether a person can “lawfully” help another person commit suicide. 

Samuels, A. (2005). Complicity of suicide. Journal of Criminal Law, 69(6), 535-539. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

3.      Switzerland has the longest history of legalization of Euthanasia for those who are and are not terminally ill. Recently, the Swiss Supreme Court ruled in favor of assisted suicide in psychiatric patients who wish to die.

Appel, J. M. (2007). A suicide right for the mentally ill?. Hastings Center Report, 37(3), 21-23. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

4.      This last article discusses the Terri Schiavo case, in which the Florida courts granted her husband the right to decide to have her feeding tube removed.

Ponnuru, R. (2005). Reasons to live. National Review, 57(7), 42-44. Retrieved from http://blackboard.uc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_18_1

Euthanasia's Popular Audience

In my genre analysis, the popular audience is both the general public and the professionals who are inquiring about euthanasia. Specifically, the professionals who are investigating this topic are physicians, nurses, attorneys, judges, sociologists, and anthropologist to name a few. On the other hand, the general public includes everyone like the professionals, but more importantly or the larger audience being the non-professionals, such as students doing research, the terminally ill, suicidal or mentally ill persons. Both audiences are seeking one thing, information. Now information is a board title, but information entailing euthanasia’s history, current or historical court cases, and other people’s views on the topic. Also, possible patients may want to know where it is legal. And lastly, some of the professionals may want to know the possible reprimands that may come along with participating in assisted suicide. However, the general public may not want to hear opinions that go against their own ideas on euthanasia. In fact, they may go toward a media that is bias in nature according to their own ethics, but it is important to hear both sides. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, whether we agree with them or not. In order to adequately attract these audiences the information must be credible and accurate foremost, but the media must also not confusion the popular audience with a bunch of medical jargon. This is where it gets a little sticky because the popular audience will include the professionals like I said before. They would enjoy and appreciate the medical vocabulary because without it they may feel it is inadequate. There needs to be a happy medium in the use of language to appeal to both audiences. And finally, both perspectives and opinions should be presented in the sources in order for the audience to come to an intellectual resolution. It is only healthy to see both sides of an issue.