Thomas C. Leaf
Objective:
You are going to review the particulars of a fictional court case that is being brought before the Supreme Court. Upon reading the details of this case and both sides’ arguments you will then decide on this case in which way you favor and write a corresponding opinion about your decision. Your opinion must clearly state what you decision is, how it is keeping with the First Amendment and which aspects of the parties’ arguments swayed your opinion.
Process:
This project is going to take a great deal of time and thought to complete. After having read the case you are going follow this checklist over the next several class periods until you have written a final draft of this opinion. Use this sheet as a checklist, scratch off each circle as you complete the tasks.
-
- Write down in one sentence what you decision is over this case.
-
- Highlight or underline the parts of this case that helped you come to your conclusion. Make a list of these details and include page numbers.
-
- Write a thesis statement of your decision.
-
- Create an outline for your rough draft that organizes your opinion by the following paragraph format: Introductory paragraph, three two four supporting paragraphs that speak to particular elements of the case and the First Amendment, a conclusion that explains the importance of your opinion and the desired precedent you wish to set by this opinion.
-
- Write a rough draft based on your outline
-
- Circle two paragraphs that you want to work on the most
-
- Exchange rough drafts within a small group, read rough drafts and comment on how your classmates can improve their rough drafts according to the circled paragraphs.
-
- Incorporate revision into rough draft based on classmate feedback.
-
- Finalize rough draft into a typed and proof read final draft.
Scoring:
Your opinion will be compared against a scoring rubric of criteria which your final draft packet will be compared to. The rubric will encompass not only your final draft but every element of this entire project going all the way to the beginning. This raw score will be translated into a grade that will count as a major test or project.
