Danielle Boitel, Ivan Ayala, Anastasia Chiarini, Felipe Cruz

P.4
Q2:
I. Thesis
Throughout the movie, Reginald Rose encourages a room of majorily prejudiced men to adopt an
unbiased atmosphere to determine the innocence of the teenager being prosecuted for the murder of his
father. He gradually produces a substantial argument on the teens behalf through the rhetorical
questioning of the morals of his fellow jurors and adherence to the basis of the pure, objective justice
system.
II. Claim (that supports thesis)
Rose puts forth his initial claim that in the court of law, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
This statement, in turn, influences a lengthy battle of whether he is guilty or not.
A. Carefully selected evidence from film identify tool and effect (appeal)
In the beginning of the movie, Rose believed that the young boy being accused was not guilty.
Rose had an unbiased opinion and stuck just with the facts of the justice system. Although Rose believed
that the boy wasn't guilty, everyone else in the room believed he was. The other Jurors in the room
represent our freedom of speech in society, this sparks the audience's logic because since there are
opposing opinions this shows the possibility of the boy not being guilty.
1. Line of reasoning (how this supports claim and connects to thesis
Because Rose stuck with his gut and did not follow the rest of the jurors in saying the boy was
guilty regardless if he believed it or not which he didn't, shows how important it is to stick to one’s
opinion. With Rose believing that the boy was innocent saved that boy's life and went further into the
case with his peers.
B. Carefully selected evidence from film identify tool and effect (appeal)
At one point in the movie, one juror makes a comment about another man's glasses. This
comment sparks an argument between the two which leads to a break through in the case which ends up
changing their perspectives in an instant.
1. Line of reasoning (how this supports claim and connects to thesis
This goes to show how one man's opinion on one simple thing can change the course of one's
perspective. This comment led to a massive discovery in evidence which changed the unanimous guilty
vote to not guilty.
III. Claim (that supports thesis)
Nearing the final conclusion of the prosecution's fate, there still stands one man who undoubtedly
believes the boy to be guilty. A large part of the adamant accusation stemming from his preexisting
prejudice towards the boy’s race. This man was the epitome of American society at the time; a white male
with bigoted views and bias towards anyone who doesn’t look the same as him. Rose questions this man's
morals and line of reasoning to the point where he mentally cracks.
A. Carefully selected evidence from film identify tool and effect (appeal)
Throughout the 1950’s film the man refers to the boy in a way to isolate him from the men in the room by
exclaiming, “ his people.” Juror #3 has a son he hasn’t spoken to in years, and his argument he attempts
to blame ,'' rotten kids,” for all the problems that exist in the world. Following that he tells Rose not to
take it “personally” when he degrades kids from low income neighborhoods, this lowers his credibility
and essentially makes him a hypocrite.
1. Line of reasoning (how this supports claim and connects to thesis
Rose mostly likely categorized juror #3 as a “bully” from the start. The only way to persuade that man
was to let him burn himself out : spewing out fallacies to the point where nothing was left but time to
reflect.The controversial nature of American society at the time was reflected through Rose’s drawn out
argument with the man, who just like society had no solid reasoning for bias.
B. Carefully selected evidence from film identify tool and effect (appeal)
In his desperation juror 3 grasps at various pieces of evidence they already proved inefficient towards
proving him guilty such as the woman who testified and swore under oath, but was suspected blind when
the event unfolded. In the end his defense had fallen and he succumbed to the weight of the room. One of
the techniques rose used was silence, allowing juror #3 to reflect on everything so far.
1. Line of reasoning (how this supports claim and connects to thesis
From the start juror 3 was hasty to make the decision and get out of room as quickly as possible. Rose
made it clear that this behavior was a blatant disregard for a human life by his immediate objection to the
juror’s opinion. Regardless if that juror believes he is entitled to an opinion, or is putting on the mask of
an objective individual, he allowed his personal hardship and bias to trickle into his argument allowing
for Rose to emerge successful in the argument.
Consider the distinct perspectives expressed in the following statements.

If you develop the absolute sense of certainty that powerful beliefs provide, then you can get yourself to
accomplish virtually anything, including those things that other people are certain are impossible.

William Lyon Phelps, American educator, journalist, and professor (1865–1943)

I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people
dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine.

Bertrand Russell, British author, mathematician, and philosopher (1872–1970)

In a well-organized essay, take a position on the relationship between certainty and doubt.

Q3:
I. Frame
Certainty and doubt are the modern human’s fight or flight instinct. Certainty will give one the
strength to do what they believe in; Doubt serves as an indicator that maybe one should take a step back
and reflect on what they know. And just like fight or flight, both are crucial if one wishes to make it in the
world.

II. Thesis w/ ATO

Although certainty provides the strength to accomplish what one strives to, because certainty can
lead to arrogance, and because doubt can serve to keep one grounded and humble. Both certainty and
doubt must work together to bring one strength, yet keep them from going over the edge.

III. Claim (that supports thesis)

Certainty without any doubt leads to one's downfall.

A. Carefully selected evidence that is specific

A great example of certainty leading to one's downfall is the great Julius Caesar. Caesar was
appointed to protect Rome, and his certainty gave him the strength to save Rome in its time of need. He
became very popular amongst the people of Rome and the people wished for him to stay in his position of
power, even after Rome no longer needed him for protection. But Caesar's certainty made him prideful
and arrogant, causing his peers and friends to resent him and eventually betray him. In the betrayal his
friends and allies all literally stabbed him in the back.

1. Line of reasoning (how this evidence supports the claim and connects to thesis) Et tu Brute?
Only in Caesar’s final moments did he realize that his own certainty is what brought him down.
Caesar never doubted himself, only others; and it fueled his own arrogance and pride. Yes, certainty did
give him the power to save Rome, but certainty acted as a double edged sword: someone who is certain
does not see their own flaws. Doubt is what helps one stay grounded and humble, if Caesar had chosen to
doubt himself once in a while and question if he was ever doing the right thing, he would have surely met
a very different fate.

B. Carefully selected evidence that is specific

Following the list of Shakesphere tragedies comes the bloody King of Scotland Macbeth. Before
he was king, Macbeth was a general under the King of Scotland. One day Macbeth received a prophecy
from three witches foretelling that he would be the next King of Scotland and that he could not be killed
by anyone born of a woman. His certainty of his “right to the throne” and inability to be killed leads him
to murder the king and claim the throne for himself, additionally murdering other people in order to cover
his tracks. Macbeth is then driven to madness unable to live with the guilt of his murders, eventually the
people of Scotland revolt against the king and Macbeth is beheaded by McDuff who was born via a c-
section therefore he was not “born of a woman” and could kill MacBeth.

1. Line of reasoning (how this evidence supports claim and connects to thesis)
Macbeth was certain of his inability to die, he never once doubted his mortality. He became
overconfident and his ambition grew out of control.

IV. Claim (that supports thesis)

Too much doubt and not enough certainty will lead to inaction and a loss of potential.

A. Carefully selected evidence that is specific

I (Ivan Ayala) play guitar and have played in shows and my school’s rock band. Once in a
performance test I had completely forgotten my part and failed in the middle of a performance evaluation.
I had spent hours practicing and had my parts memorised, yet when the moment came I froze. Any other
time and I could play every part on command but when it was time for the evaluation I missed my chance
to shine.

1. Line of reasoning (how this evidence supports claim and connects to thesis)
The Irony of the situation is that I knew exactly what was happening as it happened to me: I
doubted myself too much. I knew my parts perfectly but I doubted my ability to play and I
cracked under pressure. Certainty was certainly what I needed. Later I was given the opportunity
to test again, this time with more certainty in my ability and I performed wonderfully. Certainty
was what I needed.

B. Carefully selected evidence that is specific

Despite the copious amount of evidence showing the growing problem that is climate change,
excessive doubt of prosperity and fear of change has largely kept corporations and governments from
enacting resolutions to change existing policies that harm the climate. Activists such as Greta Thuberg,
the 16 year old Swedish girl known for skipping school and speaking at global conferences to call for
action against the abundant amount of Carbon Dioxide Emissions that have been released and will
continue to be released into the atmosphere for years, have taken charge due to the inaction of such
corporations. In her speeches criticizing current practices, she has attempted to spread her message
around the world to stop the impending catastrophe that is climate change.

1. Line of reasoning (how this evidence supports claim and connects to thesis)
Thunberg’s spreading of her work to the world has shown that certainty is needed in these times
and that the recurring cycles of doubt by corporations must be ended. Her message has continued to be
looked at with doubt, and with the resulting inaction the severity of climate change has only continued to
worsen. In contrast to Julius Caesar, the abundance of doubt expressed by the current world will be its
downfall. More certainty in actions to reduce the effects of climate change is needed to alter the course
that the planet is on.

VI. Close Frame

There is a reason why humans have both flight and fight; we cannot always win every fight, and
sometimes one must stand for themselves if they wish to thrive. It is also why we have certainty and
doubt. We should not always be certain about everything, it is good to have a bit of doubt in life. Yet, one
must also know when to be certain and exude confidence in life. A good balance of both, or at least
knowing when to apply one or the other is key to thriving in the modern world.