Free Speech

Case Studies: Free Speech
Purpose
In this assignment, your goal is to raise and discuss a question about free speech. Start by finding
and writing about three events, news stories, or essays on free speech. Your goal is to summarize
the three cases, connect them to one another, and determine what they mean in regards to free
speech today, in the US or abroad. Your cases should provide context and insight into your
question about free speech. Then, write a final section of the essay in which you discuss and
answer the question you have raised.
Case Study Examples
Critical Race Theory Banned from US Classrooms in Florida
Free Speech on College Campuses Threatened by Violence
Federal Judge Rules New Florida Law Violates Free Speech
These are three separate conflicts regarding free speech. The first is about laws passed around the
country that limit how teachers discuss race in classrooms. The second is about the line between
free speech and violent demonstration. The third is about Floridas law that penalizes social
media companies who ban or censor political candidates. You could choose one of these three
options as a source, but not all three. It would be difficult to connect these three sources because
they focus on different angles of free speech in the US. If you did choose one of these examples,
you would need to find at least two other cases regarding similar events.
You are not required to select any of my examples. You might choose to review the history of
free speech in the US, or you might write about freedom of speech in another country or time.
You might also choose to respond to an essay on free speech, like this one on efforts to curtail
free speech and academic freedom. Whatever three sources you choose, be aware of bias. This is
a fraught topic, meaning publishers and authors likely have something at stake in their
representation of this debate.
Structure
There is no minimum word limit for this assignment. Your completed essay should contain:
-an introductory section that outlines your topic and thesis question
-a section explaining each of your three cases with quotes from each
-a section connecting the cases and discussing answers to the question you raised
-an MLA formatted Works Cited page
You are not required to use in-text MLA citations, but the source of information and quotations
should be clear. Only an MLA Works Cited page is required.
Brown 2
Rubric (125 points)
Format: Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt font, double-spaced, top right header with last name
and page number (10 pts)
Grammar and Mechanics: (20 pts)
Sources: 3+ quoted sources, citations integrated into full sentences with clear attribution to
original author/publisher, MLA Works Cited page at end of essay (30 pts)
Thesis Question: Raise a strong question regarding free speech today and answer it with
examples from your cases (20 pts)
Summary: Explanation of each case with multiple quotes from each source that provide context
and insight (30 pts)
Connection: Case studies must connect to one another, regard similar topics, and establish some
pattern or contrast that brings focus to the topic of free speech today (15 pts)

Last Completed Projects