Tell-Tale Heart

Today notes are included here to help students write their argument

Introduction:

•Provide a brief summary of what you want the jury to know about the crime. Remind them of what the defense would have them believe about your client.

•On the evening of (make up a date), my client took the life of the old man. The prosecution would have you believe that the narrator is a calculated killer; however, this is not true. The narrator suffers from…. (keep going)

•End with a thesis: I will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the narrator is not guilty by reason of insanity.

•I will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the narrator is guilty.

Supporting Paragraph:

•Using no fewer than 3 pieces of text, write a paragraph that explains how the narrator is/is not insane.

•Begin with a topic sentence. The defense will prove that the narrator suffers from a mental condition that blurs the line between reality and illusion.

Counter/Rebuttal

•The prosecution would have you believe that the narrator is a calculated killer. They will tell you that the narrator took great time and care in planning the death of the old man. They will remind you that the narrator confessed to entering the old man’s bedroom for seven nights prior to taking his life. However, we would argue (explain how this evidence can show that your client is not sane.)

Conclusion:

•The evidence clearly demonstrates that the narrator killed the old man, but he did so because he could not control his own actions, an indication of his mental condition. The prosecution has attempted to show that our client knew exactly what he was doing when he killed the victim; however, they fail to take into account that our client did not understand his actions as the time of the crime. Because …..

You cannot find the accused guilty of murder. Instead you must find him guilty by reason of insanity.