NVCC Social Media and Freedom of Speech Discussion

Purpose

This activity provides practice in summarizing the central argument and supporting details for differing arguments and perspectives, integrating sources into your writing, and citing your sources.

Instructions

Prepare

1. Print, review and annotate the TWO perspective articles on your chosen topic below:

TOPIC ONE: Social Media and Freedom of Speech

“Primary Source Document: Anti-Defamation League Representative Testifies About Online Extremism”

“Primary Source Document: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Delivers Address on Free Speech”

TOPIC TWO: The Threat of Artificial Intelligence

“AI’s are Really Dumb:They Don’t Even Have the Intelligence of a 6-Month Old” by Timothy Revell from New Scientist

“Beware an AI-Fuelled World” by Andrew Simms from New Scientist

TOPIC THREE: Voting Rights for Felons

“Zero Disenfranchisement: The Movement to Restore Voting Rights” by Common Cause

“Felons Lose Their Right to Vote When They Break the Law” by Roger Clegg from Voter Fraud

Write

1. Write a detailed three paragraph response (about 300-350 words) to the two articles under your chosen topic. Use specific details from these two assigned perspective articles when summarizing their main ideas.
   • What is each author’s central opinion on the issue?
   • Identify at least three main supporting details each author uses to support their argument.
   • Whose position do you agree with more, and why? Be specific in your response.
2. Make sure all references and quotations are clearly cited, using the MLA parenthetical form of citations.
3. Include a Works Cited in MLA format. (For a database source, use the Cite or Page tools to get an MLA formatted citation.)

Post Your Comments

1. Post your comments (3 paragraphs) to this Discussion.

Peer Replies