Commentary on and exploration of ideas related to the First Amendment
Essay 1 Description (many things covered in class in the next weeks will make this clearer)
Paper1 will be a 3 and about 1/2 page (not 2 and7/8; not 3 pages and on sentence on the 4th page; 4 and � maximum) commentary on and exploration of ideas related to the First Amendment using any in-class/in-text materials and discussions (in particular, and read in this order over the next couple weeks, Jacoby, Brownmiller, Lawrence, Bok, Saginaw, Wilde) in combination with any background material (minimal, if any, research possible but requires in-text source signal phrase in paper, just like the assigned readings) and, of course, your own ideas and non-researched knowledge of current events. You can address (a narrow focus often better) similarities and differences between 1st Amendment exceptions, current and proposed; audience issues (e.g. strict views on sexual matters, minority concerns) and important values; typical assumptions; unavoidable difficulties; interpretation issues; disagreements; confusions, cultural and political realities AND/OR human nature. Your essay should show an interesting and thoughtful awareness of some of the difficulties surrounding this issue for a reading audience that has thought about similar issues (but your essay should be readable by anyone without knowledge of the assignment or that it was for a class!). Looking at our specific text examples and arguments is necessary; do not just give just generalizations. Paraphrase, comment, compare, relate and analyze with concision (avoid �filler�).
The paper is not a report on or summary of the essays but an integrated exploration of your probably tentative perspective (you can qualify your points with e.g. perhaps, many people might think that�, It seems�) using these essays to a significant degree (but not all or all equally). Some ideas in first paragraph repeated in the next.
Again, you don�t need to use all essays equally since some will probably be more central for your purposes than others. You should paraphrase and summarize rather than quote (unless the original wording is crucial for your point) with appropriate signal phrases. Your purpose is not necessarily to argue your point of view or support any one author�s point of view (but you can do this) but to develop an interesting thesis focus that allows you to integrate and sequence through a number of related ideas that a thoughtful person might want to consider when dealing with the First Amendment. Problem areas might include (like the �can address list in last paragraph) drawing boundaries on �freedoms,� public/private context, avoidability,victimization, harm versus �offense,� majority/minorities, government responsibility, intent issues, age issues, definitional problems, separation of church and state, changing historical and social context�. But don�t try to do too much�only 3 and � pages! Maintaining a narrow focus (a single, precise thesis idea in intro) is much better than a simple list of not-so-related ideas (idea 1, NEXT idea 2, ALSO idea 3�a weak organizational approach!) without any connection between paragraphs other than the First Amendment. Definitely don�t rely on organization by essay (one paragraph on Jacoby, two on Brownmiller�). Organize by idea (with precise topic sentences) and develop your thoughts using the essays (1) as pretexts and springboards and (2) as development and support for your own paragraph topic focuses. Show that ideas and situations in the different essays �talk to each other� and talk to your experience and knowledge. Remember the paper is not to be a complete analysis and need not be a persuasive argument on your point of view. It is an integrated exploration.
Maybe re-read the essays with these considerations in mind before peer review AND maybe again before final draft. There are not that many pages to read. Reading after your brain has changed due to all previous thought usually will lead to new ideas. Have some prewriting ideas done in forst reading notes and later modify/reject.. You should have �critically� read all of the relevant essays and formulated your ideas and be able to say what �parts� of the six essays will probably be used the most in your paper�s development. Save all prewriting materials and drafts in separate files instead of copying over the old ones . Remember to upload both peer review version, the partner peer review, and final versions as a .doc, .rtf or .pdf file to CANVAS under ASSIGNMENTS. Deadlines will be in announcement and, of course, on Canvas Assignments.
Some background info to First Amendment concerns will be covered in class and links. Nobody is expected to do constitutional law research, but some concepts can be read and then, if not too specific/technical, can be used WITHOUT a signal phrase as you can assume common knowledge with readers. One site is the list of current free speech restrictions at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exceptions
You can do a good essay using only our readings, but outside current connections�taking a knee, internet pornography, fake facts, deep fakes, hate crimes, and other recent news/events can be valuable supports. However, they should not take over the essay, which should rely primarily on our texts.