Copy of Copy of STUDENT COPY - Stars and Stripes (1)

7Student Copy Interactive Notetaker: Stars and Stripes from StudySync Part I: Stars and Stripes (Text Structures & Features, Argument, Rhetoric) Part II: Comparing and Evaluating Arguments Part III: Benchmark Questions Part IV: Socratic Smackdown ELA.10.R.2.1 Analyze the impact of multiple text structures and the use of features in text(s). ELA.10.R.2.4 Compare the development of two opposing arguments on the same topic, evaluating the e±ectiveness and validity of the claims, and analyzing the ways in which the authors use the same information to achieve di±erent ends. ELA.10.R.3.4 Analyze an author’s use of rhetoric in a text. Part I: Stars and Stripes Burning the American Flag as Protest: First Amendment Right or a Crime? From StudySync Background: In these two articles, writers make arguments for and against the rights of American citizens to burn the country’s flag as a form of political protest. This debate has been going on since American activist Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested in Dallas, Texas, for burning the American flag outside of the Republican National Convention in 1984. Both writers present strong arguments and support their claims with evidence. Which one does the better job convincing you that his or her view is correct? Directions : As you read Stars and Stripes annotate the following: ● Text Structures and Features ● Arguments or claims made by the author ● Reasons and evidence used to support the argument ● Rhetorical Appeals or Devices Point: The Right to Burn the Flag Is Protected by Freedom of Speech Chunk 1

1 When a citizen of a nation is dissatisfied with the government, what can he or she do to try to create change? What if voting in elections and participating in local government doesn’t seem to be enough? This is exactly the position some citizens find themselves in when they make the choice to burn the flag as a form of protest. Many see it as a last resort. All citizens must understand that the right to burn the flag is protected by America’s Constitution. How does the use of rhetorical questions impact the opening of the Point argument? By having the reader think more deeply about citizen’s rights. Is it legal to burn the flag? How do you know? . It's legal because the right to burn the flag is protected by the constitution. 2 There are many people who do not support the legal right to burn the flag. They feel that burning the flag is callous toward the military servicemen and women who have fought and died for their country. Anyone can see how this act would be hurtful toward members of the armed forces. However, it is not plausible to say that in order to protect freedom, you must limit the very freedoms you are trying to protect. Even some service members agree. According to a veteran of the Vietnam War, Richard Savage, "...Those who would burn the flag destroy the symbol of freedom, but amending the Constitution would destroy part of freedom itself." Highlight descriptive structure in paragraphs 1 and 2. How does the descriptive structure and text feature impact the reader? . The descriptive structure and the text feature emphasizes the connection between protected rights. 3 The United States Supreme Court agrees that it would be unethical to limit citizens’ personal freedoms with laws against burning the flag. In 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson burned the American flag at the Republican National Convention in Dallas because he was dissatisfied with the government of the United States. At the time it was illegal in the state of Texas to burn the flag, so Johnson was arrested. Johnson fought the case and it went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in 1989 that burning a flag is symbolically the same as exercising your right to free speech, and therefore it is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Since the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, states are no longer allowed to make or enforce laws against burning the flag. Chunk 2

Counterpoint: Burning the American Flag Is a Threat to Our Country Chunk 3 7 The American flag is one of the most sacred symbols of the United States. When six Marines raised the American flag over Iwo Jima in 1945, it symbolized the United States’ strength in the face of world powers that wanted to destroy us. Three of the Marines that raised that flag would make the ultimate sacrifice for their country when they were killed in action. When Neil Armstrong placed an American Flag on the moon in 1969, it was a symbol of the United States’ resolve to be a leader in science and technology despite competition from the repressive Communist regimes. When New York City firefighters raised the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center in 2001, it was a symbol of solidarity and strength after an atrocious attack on the American people. To burn the United States flag for any reason is disrespectful and should be outlawed. According to the Counterpoint author, what does the American flag symbolize? The flag symbolizes strength, solidarity, and freedom. What is the meaning of the various images of the flag as used in paragraph 7? They show times when the flag made the United States stronger by representing its unity. 8 Unfortunately, there are some people who think it is acceptable to burn this sacred symbol as a form of protest against the government. They mistakenly believe that it is feasible to fight for freedom while simultaneously destroying one of its most cherished symbols. On the contrary, burning the American flag is deeply disrespectful to those who actually fight for freedom: members of the armed forces. Anyone who thinks that it should be legal to burn the flag should consider the following points of view. How does the text structure and feature in chunk 3 impact the reader? This paragraph uses compare and contrast and uses the chart to feature work together to make a strong connection to support the idea of making desecration of the flag a crime. 9 Think how it must feel to be an American service member injured in battle. You are happy to be alive but you have a long road to recovery. Then you come home to the injurious act of the same citizens you fought to protect, burning a symbol of the freedom you fought for. Now picture tears in the eyes of the child or spouse of a soldier that went missing in action while fighting for our country. Imagine how it must feel for them to see people disrespecting a symbol of the freedom their missing loved one fought for, not How does the author appeal to the reader in paragraph 9? How strong is this appeal in supporting their argument?

knowing if their family member will ever have their own freedom again. Consider a serviceman or woman that fought in battle and made it home, but carries the memory of his or her comrades that were not so lucky to make it back to their families alive. How would it feel to see the memory of their fallen comrades degraded by the burning of the flag? The author uses an emotional appeal to let us know that people should think about the memory of their fallen comrades degraded by the burning of the flag. Chunk 4 10 People who think it should be legal to burn the American flag argue that the Supreme Court ruled it is a right protected by the Constitution. However, this is not a su±cient reason to let the issue lie. The Supreme Court has been wrong before. There was a time when the Supreme Court ruled that African Americans could not be American citizens (Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857). Then only a little more than ten years later the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution were passed, reversing this decision and ensuring that all Americans enjoy the protection of the law. One of the wonderful things about the United States is that the Constitution is flexible, and it is imperative that it be adjusted to reflect respect for the American flag as well. How does the example of the Dred Scott case add to the development of the author’s argument? The mention of the Dred Scott case shows that the Supreme Court can be fallible. 11 In fact, the majority of Americans think that it should be illegal to burn the flag. In a poll conducted in 1990, 69% of Americans said that they supported a Constitutional Amendment that would make it legal for Congress or individual states to pass laws against flag burning. Since the United States government is for the people and by the people, public opinion should matter in deciding this issue. How does the text structure and feature impact the text in chunk 4? The descriptive structure is supported by the chart showing statistics on public opinion regarding this matter.

When New York City firefighters raised the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center in 2001, it was a symbol of solidarity and strength after an atrocious attack on the American people. (paragraph 7) They show times when the flag made the United States stronger by representing its unity. They depict instances in which the flag's symbol of the country's togetherness strengthened the US. … when American citizens burn the flag it makes us look weak to our enemies. The world we live in today is increasingly threatening. It is essential that the United States show a united and strong nation that will not tolerate aggression from others. (paragraph 12) The descriptive structure is supported by the chart showing statistics on public opinion regarding this matter. This descriptive structure is reinforced by the graph that presents data on popular opinion on the subject. PART II: Comparing and Evaluating Opposing Arguments Directions: Using your annotations, complete the chart on how the perspectives on the Supreme Court’s ruling on flag burning supported the Point or Counterpoint argument. Supports Point Argument Supports Counterpoint Argument A law overturning the decision could be wrongly applied. Amendments can fix questionable court decisions. The ruling affirms the First Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling threatens national security. The ruling protects some of the most engaged citizens. Flag burning takes an emotional toll on veterans. DIRECTIONS: Sort the statements into the correct section of the chart to show the claim, reasoning and evidence for opposing arguments. Stars and Stripes Burning the American Flag as Protest: First Amendment Right or a Crime? Point Counterpoint Argument Flag burning is a form of protest, and protest is a constitutional right and should not be considered a crime. Historical examples show that the American flag is a sacred patriotic symbol and desecrating it should be considered a crime.

Claim Burning the American flag is a constitutionally protected act of protest. Burning the American flag is disrespectful and should be illegal. Reason It does not make sense to say that in order to protect freedom, you must limit the very freedoms you are trying to protect. Burning the American flag is deeply disrespectful to those who actually fight for freedom: members of the armed forces. Evidence Even some service members agree. According to a veteran of the Vietnam War, Richard Savage, "...Those who would burn the flag destroy the symbol of freedom, but amending the Constitution would destroy part of freedom itself." Think how it must feel to be an American service member injured in battle. You are happy to be alive but you have a long road to recovery. Then you come home to the injurious act of the same citizens you fought to protect, burning a symbol of the freedom you fought for. Copy and paste the sentence into the correct portion of the above chart Evaluating Arguments Directions: Use the information from the evidence hierarchy to create a statement to evaluate the e±ectiveness of the two opposing arguments. Evaluate which presented the stronger argument Point Counterpoint

2 Which statement most e²ectively compares how both authors develop their arguments? (R.2.4) a. The Point author states that most people support Constitutional productions for acts of protest including flag burning, while Counterpoint author states most people want flag burning to be illegal. b. The Point author suggests that public opinion is a valid reason to change laws, while Counterpoint author suggests that legislative decisions do not take public opinion into account. c. The Point author argues that flag burning should remain legal regardless of public opinion, while Counterpoint author argues that flag burning should be prohibited to reflect public opinion. d. The Point author says that the majority of service members support legal flag burning, while the Counterpoint author says that the majority of service members think flag burning should be legal. Answer: C Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question: The point is that burning the American flag is a constitutionally protected act of protest. Counterpoint is that burning the American flag is disrespectful and should be illegal. 3 This question has two parts. First answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: How does The Point author use the idea of freedom in paragraph 2? (R.2.4) a. Stressing how many people do not support the legal right to burn the flag. b. Emphasizing it would not make sense to protect freedom by limiting the very freedoms needing to be protected. c. Stressing Richard Savage’s views on flag burning being a protected freedom. d. Emphasizing how the act of flag burning would be hurtful to those in the military. Answer: B Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question: “it is not plausible to say that in order to protect freedom, you must limit the very freedoms you are trying to protect.” 4 Part B: How does The Counterpoint author use the idea of freedom di²erently from Part A in paragraph 13? (R.2.4) a. Focusing on the importance of limiting freedom of expression in the interest of national security. b. Highlighting how limiting freedom of expression has impacted other countries. c. Highlighting events at The European Convention event. d. Focusing on acting upon these freedoms should come with consequences as is the case in other places around the world. Answer: A Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question: “Internationally there is a precedent for limiting freedom of expression in the interest of national security.” 5 Both authors provide evidence and reasoning to support their claims on the topic of flag burning. Sort each statement evaluating the validity of their claims to show which applies to The Point, The Counterpoint, or both. (R.2.4) Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question: The point is

Point Counterpoint Both The author includes evidence on the importance of protecting freedom. The author develops the argument by providing specific examples on the potential consequences of flag burning. The author uses the example of Gregory Lee Johnson and The Supreme Court ruling as evidence to support their claims and overall argument. The author provides statistics on the majority of Americans’ thoughts about the argument. that burning the American flag is a constitutionally protected act of protest. Counterpoint is that burning the American flag is disrespectful and should be illegal. They both give evidence for their claim. 6 How would the inclusion of the below image at the beginning of chunk 4, impact the meaning of the text? (R.2.1) a. The image emphasizes the idea that The Supreme Court can make decisions that could be considered incorrect. Answer: A Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question:

c. Placing emphasis on how flag burning might impact those who served in the armed forces or who have lost loved ones in the armed forces. d. Placing emphasis on the resiliency of those that serve in our armed forces and have made great sacrifices. say flag burning should be illegal despite this evidence, I have a few questions. What exactly would be protected by a law that makes it illegal to burn flags? Clothing featuring American flags? Fourth of July picnic napkins and plates?” 10 How does the author use a logical appeal, in chunk 4, to support their argument? (R.3.4) a. By providing the reader with statistics showing the percentage of states that currently have laws against flag burning. b. By providing the reader with a study that shows the citizens within specific states who support making flag burning a crime. c. By providing the reader with statistics highlighting the percentage of Americans that would be in favor of passing laws against flag burning. d. By providing the reader with a study that shows the citizens within specific states who support making flag burning a crime. Answer: C Justify your answer by explaining your reasoning and providing the process you took to answer the question: “In fact, the majority of Americans think that it should be illegal to burn the flag. In a poll conducted in 1990, 69% of Americans said that they supported a Constitutional Amendment that would make it legal for Congress or individual states to pass laws against flag burning. Since the United States government is for the people and by the people, public opinion should matter in deciding this issue.”

Part IV: Socratic Smackdown Planning DIRECTIONS : Use the chart below to gather key points and evidence to support either claim. Topic: Which of the opposing arguments is more persuasive? Point “The Right to Burn the Flag Is Protected by Freedom of Speech” Counterpoint “Burning the American Flag is a Threat to Our Country”

agree +1 disagree +1 question +1 Devil’s advocate +2 interrupt -1 Total Score Overall Winner Round 1 Point Leader: Round 2 Point Leader: