PROJECT: FREEDOM OF SPEECH Amendment I "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

OBJECTIVES
Understand and engage the concept of freedom of speech in America.
Before You Begin
The very first amendment of the United States Constitution (above) proclaims five major freedoms for everyone in America. The government cannot bar any citizen from exercising those rights. Freedom of speech is an important guarantee that was included primarily so that citizens could legally speak out against the government without fear of persecution. In 1780, most governments didn’t allow citizens to speak freely, and, still, there are many governments that imprison anyone who publicly criticizes the regime in power. Freedom of speech allows citizens to say many good things and challenge the government, keeping it transparent and accessible and open to the will of the people. However, sometimes people go too far.

Directions
For this project, you will be required to submit two essays. It is recommended that you use an outline to help you plan out the structure of your writings.

Essay One: A man claiming to be working to fight against fraud has been posting threatening comments on Twitter. Widely considered the place for free speech, Twitter has, instead, banned the posts. The man claims infringement on his freedom of speech. What do you say? Using recent newspaper articles, the Internet and other local press outlets, discuss the matter. What do you consider is protected under the Freedom of Speech amendment? When does that speech go too far? Is Twitter obligated to post the man’s tweets? Persuasively argue both sides of the issue, then give your opinion. Make certain you ground your opinion rather than give an emotional response. Find other precedents, or cite the Constitution to ground your opinion. This essay should be 250-350 words.

Essay Two: Carefully consider the case above. Read newspapers, magazines, and other media outlets, including the Internet, to identify another freedom of speech issue or case here in America, or internationally, then write about it. Try to find something that offers a different view of freedom of speech. What is the issue, and what are the arguments? Present the case, then analyze it. What does each side argue, and what is at stake? Now, carefully think through the issue, and formulate your own opinion. Do you think the ruling was just? Defend your opinion with supporting information. This essay should also be 250-350 words.

Prompt
Begin with an outline and then write two essays that clearly state each freedom of speech case. In each essasy, persuasively argue both sides of the issues in one or two paragraphs per side. In your conclusions, give your opinion of what is right, based on America’s First Amendment protections. It may help to formulate your opinion by researching precedents set in other cases.