Domestic Issues America Faces - the Death Penalty July 12, 2015 - Posted to How to: Essay writing tips One of the most controversial topics today is the death penalty. So, it is common that an essay on this topic is assigned, and, if not assigned, it is often a theme of choice with students for a persuasive or argumentative essay. Because of the nature of a death penalty research paper or essay, a good one will require research. It is not enough just to have an opinion – you need facts and data to back up your positions.