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Author:
Thomas J. Balch, someone who writes about free speech and why it matters.

Audience:
Regular people who read the news, especially those who care about free speech and how it affects society.

Purpose:
To explain why even speech that’s upsetting or wrong should still be allowed and protected.

Stance:
He strongly supports free speech and thinks censoring it, even when it’s disturbing, is a bad idea.

Medium:
An opinion piece published online in a news website.

Balch argues that we should protect all kinds of speech, even if it’s offensive or not 100% accurate. He says hearing these things helps people think more clearly and keeps us from becoming lazy thinkers.

Yes, it was convincing because he explained how blocking speech can hurt people’s ability to think for themselves. I liked that he compared it to becoming a “contented fool,” which helped make the point easier to understand.

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author: William J. Watkins Jr., a writer and researcher who cares a lot about freedom and democracy.

Audience:

People who are interested in government, free speech, or current events—like students, voters, or even lawmakers.

Purpose:

To explain why free speech, even when it’s uncomfortable or offensive, is super important for keeping our democracy strong.

Stance:

He clearly supports free speech and thinks limiting it is dangerous for a free society.

Medium:

An opinion article online that people can read in news websites or political blogs.

Watkins argues that free speech—even the kind people might not like—is necessary for democracy to work. He gives examples from U.S. history to show that shutting down speech has led to big problems in the past.

Yes, I thought it was convincing. He used real historical examples and explained clearly why letting people speak their minds helps keep democracy strong and healthy.

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Author: Jay Michaelson

Audience: People who are interested in how the government and social media interact, especially around issues like misinformation

Purpose: To explain why the Supreme Court ruled that the government didn’t break any laws by talking to social media companies about false or harmful content

Stance: The author supports the Court’s decision and believes the government should be allowed to warn platforms about false information

Medium/Design: Online opinion article with a bold, attention-grabbing headline and casual, clear writing

Michaelson writes about a Supreme Court case where some people claimed the government was secretly forcing social media companies to remove posts. The Court said there wasn’t enough proof of this and that warning platforms about false or dangerous content isn’t the same as controlling them.

The article makes a strong argument by showing how the Court used facts and legal standards to decide that no one was being forced to take down content. It’s convincing because it explains how the government can respond to false content without violating free speech.

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1. The New York Times Editorial Board, representing the institution generally and not a single author, writes on the topic with authority and influence across the country. The reader is the broad American public, including readers on both sides of politics who are interested in civil liberties, public debate, and democracy. Here, the Board is reacting to growing tension around free speech in America and how both political left and right are fostering a culture of self censorship, silencing, and fear of expression. The background is growing political polarization, culture controversies, and growing discomfort with dissenting or unpopular views in the public as well as the private space. The purpose is to call for a renewed national commitment to the defense of free expression as essential to healthy democracy. The tone is somber, fair minded, and advisory, seeking reflection and open debate from everywhere.

2. The New York Times Editorial Board argues that America is facing a growing free speech crisis, where people are increasingly reluctant to express themselves due to social, political, and institutional forces. The article calls for a renewed commitment to free debate and the protection of opposing views as the bedrock of democracy.

3.The book succeeds in bringing to the fore cultural and social forces curbing speech short of legal restriction, in making an eloquent case that free expression is threatened from all sides. While it perhaps does not have the specificity of policy prescriptions, its honest tone and mass appeal make it a powerful and timely warning regarding the condition of public discourse

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1.Thomas J. Balch is a constitutional attorney and free speech aficionado who pens with a strong legal background and commitment to First Amendment freedoms. His audience includes policymakers, attorneys, educators, and ordinary citizens concerned about maintaining in balance freedom of expression and truth for the public good. In his article, Balch argues that even offensive, upsetting, or untrue speech must be guarded by the First Amendment, as giving the government the right to decide what is true or tolerable is a bad precedent. The context of his work is rising calls for regulation of disinformation, especially on the internet and in politics. His cause is to defend the principle that truth emerges best through open discussion rather than censorship. He takes on a rational, principled approach with the intent to defend the legal and philosophical foundations of free expression.

2. Thomas J. Balch argues that even offensive or false speech must be safeguarded to ensure the precepts of the First Amendment are upheld. He warns that allowing the government to decide what constitutes "truth" will gag dissents and kill democracy.

3. Balch's thesis is convincing due to its solid foundation in constitutional history and precedent, concisely stating the threat of government speech. Granted, it does not fully answer the ills of misinformation on the internet, but his unwavering defense of free speech ideals is logically sound and convincing.

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1. William J. Watkins Jr., a guy  at the Independent Institute and an attorney at law, authors from a libertarian-tingedlegal perspective and is a firm believer in constitutional freedoms. His audience is American citizens who are interested in promoting free speech and democratic principles, particularly in an era where there are growing popular calls for censorship. Here, Watkins argues that free and open expression  no matter how offensive or contentious  is central to the success of a democratic society. His work comes on the back of perpetual cultural controversy over hate speech, misinformation, and political polarization. His objective is to caution against efforts to restrain speech in the name of public safety or decency, underlining that they threaten the very foundations of democratic debate. Watkins uses a firm, principle driven voice to rally liberty conscious readers who subscribe to limiting government authority.

2. William J. Watkins Jr. contends that the defense of even unpopular or contentious speech is essential to democracy because free debate enables society to experiment with ideas and make things right. He cautions that censorship,even benevolent, paves the way for abusive government authority and the decline of liberty.

3.Watkins presents a strong, well-reasoned argument for free speech on constitutional principles and precedent. His argument is persuasive, especially to readers who place a high value on individual liberty, but to others, it will be unsatisfying as dismissive of the real harm done by hate speech or disinformation in the media today.

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1. Legal columnist and analyst Jay Michaelson speaks as one who possesses extensive experience in constitutional law and the judicial process. Politically engaged American readers generally, and those interested in Supreme Court decisions and where free speech, disinformation, and government regulation intersect specifically, are spoken to. In this article, Michaelson discusses a recent Supreme Court ruling dismissing grievances from right wing activists who alleged the government was unfairly censoring conservative viewpoints on social media. Writing against the background of rising partisan myths accusing the government and tech companies of colluding to silence conservatives, Michaelson's goal is to tease out the legal reasoning of the Court's decision and to debunk the conspiracy theories underlying the suit. His tone is tart, confident, and somewhat mocking, especially of the emptiness of the plaintiffs' accusations.

2.Jay Michaelson reports on how the Supreme Court dismissed a suit alleging that the Biden administration had illegally coerced social media companies into censoring conservative content. He argues that the decision of the Court substantiates the argument that conspiracy theories collapse when put to real legal tests.

3. Michaelson's argument is convincing due to his clear explication of legal realities, Supreme Court logic, and lack of evidence supporting the plaintiffs. His tone may be seen as belittling by others, but his reason, legal ground, and focus on facts make his argument well-founded and convincing.

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1. Christine Mehta, a writer and researcher who collaborates with the ACLU, addresses the American audience in general and particularly those with interests in civil rights, legal protection, and free speech in her argument for maintaining the First Amendment's protection for even the most hateful and offensive speech. In a time characterized by rising tensions over misinformation and calls for censorship, Mehta warns against the danger of regulating speech, no matter how offensive. Her goal is to emphasize that the safeguarding of all forms of expression, regardless of content, is essential to maintaining democracy and preventing dangerous government overreach. With a rebellious, principled, and passionate tone, she responds to the growing public demand for limiting speech, emphasizing that such limitations threaten the very cornerstone of constitutional freedom.

2. Chrissrine Mehta presents the viewpoint that hate speech and offensive speech need to be protected since, if the government starts censoring, nobody knows where to draw a line. She argues that the First Amendment needs to protect all speech in order to truly assure freedom to everyone.

3. Mehta's argument is appealing to readers who value civil liberties because she explains the slippery slope of censorship clearly and backs up her arguments with legal principle. While some may feel uneasy about defending hate speech, she makes her case compelling and principled by being consistent in her reasoning and by emphasizing equal rights for everyone.

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1. This editorial was written by the NYT, to talk about erosion of free speech in America. It was written for the general readers of the NYT.

2. The article argues that there is a crisis surrounding free speech in the US. They talk about weaponization of the limitations of free speech and widespread self censorship.

3. The argument is good, and I like how it uses solid numbers and data to back up its claims.

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1. The opinion piece defends free speech protections, saying that even offensive or wrong speech should be protected. It was written by Balch, for politically minded readers.

2. Balch says that protecting free speech, whatever the form, is important to keep the government from overstepping. He talks about historical failures in censorship and warns about following arbitrary truth dictated by authority.

3. The argument is good but I think it could’ve used practical solutions to some of its problems, and overlooks real harm some speech can cause.

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1. This source is an opinion piece written by Willian J. Watkins Jr. It’s written towards politically minded people, and it argues that free speech should be unrestricted.

2. Watkins argues that not allowing “poisonous” speech makes democracies more unstable. He thinks that instead of silencing bad ideas, they should be discussed.

3. I think there are some upsides to the argument, I agree with its main point, but I think it over simplified opposing views.

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This is an online New York Times newspaper article that discusses the oppressio of free speech. The purpose of the New York Times is to spread awareness of the cancel culture that has lead to oppression of ideology. There is a reason why the author has decided to stay anonymous in protection of their identity, and supports the reason for developments in our society that has led to the lack of free speech.

The article discusses the backsliding of free speech through the fear in people of being cancelled and reference of polls that show America’s free speech being chipped at.

I think that this is the most comprehensive articles presented in the slideshow because it references all of the research it is has compiled and shares it in a digestible, logical reference. The freedom of speech becoming under scrutiny and showing the research the Times conducted is used to substantiate the assertion of free speech backlsiding.

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Rhetoric situation: This is an op-ed article by Jay Michaelson with the purpose of informing the public of recent changes in Court decisions as well as the involvement of social media on information. This article uses a lot more colloquial language that likely has a more casual audience of those interested in recent developments of the Supreme Court and social media developments. Jay Michaelson is a visiting scholar that went has a law degree from Yale that recaps the current events in censorship disputes on social media arguments with a stance of the inaccurate argument by far right Supreme Court justices against regulation.

The article largely discusses the social media conspiracy that has proliferated on social media platforms and are trying to be addressed by private corporations. However, Supreme Court justices in that far right super majority has found justices to prevent federal governments from working with social media companies in this regulation that Michaelson argues against.

I think that this an interesting argument that I do believe has widespread implications becuase it specifically finds the intent of the Supreme Court to play a role in how they choose to use the constitution to support or oppose their positions. They use the 1st amendment to prevent regulation of social media companies but also cling it onto it to prevent accountability.

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Disturbing, inaccurate Speech- Fiona’s Analysis

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Disturbing, inaccurate Speech- Fiona’s Analysis

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Rhetoric Situation:

Professional parliamentarian Thomas J. Balch gives an opinion article aimed to persuade the readers that speech must be protected to create a healthy balance of contrasting ideas. The audience are readers of the Washington Post and anyone who are interested in the discussion of the freedom of speech and censorship.

This article is used to explain the need for speech not to be protected even if it is disturbing. Balch justifies this with the intent that opposition and jarring speeches have the capacity to increase our understanding.

I think that he is slightly less convincing, because he fails to account for the reality that the inaccurate speech is not held accountable. I think that if factually inaccurate information is blasted on social media and gaining popularity, there should be a PSA that at least informs the information the former president posted about vaccinations is false. I think the line that needs to be drawn is not that there should be imprisonment for the mere discussion of controversial arguments but that inaccurate information is called out for.

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Rhetoric Scenario:

Author Tim Wu is a law professor at Columbia that discusses the constitutional implications of the first amendment in the scenario of the Supreme Court implications. This is an informative opinion article that largely discusses the first amendment and his ideas of how it has become out of control. The audience are groups such as the Columbia students, researchers of the Supreme Court, and people who are interested in the history of the law.

Summary:

Professor Wu argues that the Supreme Court has failed to protect the aspects of the first amendment that support the underdog but now most protect corporate interests. He also discusses the history of the first amendment straying from the constitution’s purpose to help those that have been marginalized.

I think that their argument is very convincing because Wu spend a lot of time discussing the historical link chain between the multiple instances of Supreme Court taking down laws that were protected by the first time and the lack of legal cohesion to protect people.

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1. Watkins wrote this with a purpose in informing and persuading the public that debate and the exercising of free speech is necessary for a healthy democracy. He critques the status quo's preference of silencing speech that is deemed "poisonous" as a cover for not discussing about important challenges that we face.

2. The audience are readers of the newspaper and those that are interested in free speech

3. The author William J. Watkins is a research fellow with the Independent Institute and is very well researched in the field of Constitutionality.

4. Watkins take the stance against speech restrictions in the form of safe spaces that are silencing intellectual conversations and the history of laws on speech restrictions that have negative ramifications.

5. The speaker wrote this in a form of a newspaper article

Watkins largely covers the current status quo of college students hiding behind the echo chambers of safe spaces and explores the history of speech restrictions negatively impacting the lives of the constitutions.

The argument is rather convincing because it goes through the narrative of silencing of speech from the right type of speech. I think that it does only focus on instances of good, challenging speech that is being disputed and calls into question of what is accurate and inaccurate speech instead of “good” or “bad”.

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1. Author Jay Michaelson, writes this article in the context of a U.S Supreme Court decision on rejecting a lawsuit that claimed the government was pressuring social media to silence the people’s voices. The audience is set for politically aware readers. The tone of the author is factual and critical, both with the purpose of disputing any incorrect theories and defending the courts decision.

2. Michaelson shuts down any claims against the supreme courts ruling and in turn defends it. He explains that, legally, companies are free to remove content based on their policies and be protected under the first amendment.

3. The author argument is effective due to his strong knowledge on the law and a clear explanation of the Courts reasoning. His tone allows the article to have complex issues with I’m it that readers are able to understand. His use of evidence adds credibility.

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1. This is a newspaper by the New York Times for people who are concerned about cancel culture to warn people about how cancel culture can prevent people from speaking out about topics, especially people of influence even if they are super necessary to talk/raise awareness about. The stance is that the First Amendment should stay as is but we should change the way we perceive free speech.

2. This article informs readers about the harmful effects cancel culture can have on American’s freedom of speech and that it goes with political censorship to make Americans scared of speaking out about controversial topics.

3. I believe that this argument is strong because it incudes a lot of data and it explains how each one supports the claim that cancel culture is harmful to American’s Freedom of speech.

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1. This is a news article by Thomas J. Balch for the readers of the Washington Post to argue that all speech should be protected under the First Amendment. His stance is that the First Amendment should be kept as is.

2. This article gives the reader information about Balch’s stance on free speech which is that the First Amendment should protect all speech because it protects American’s Democracy when unsettling or incorrect speech sparks debate and critical thinking amongst Americans.

3. I believe that this article is a little bit convincing as there is extensive law related evidence in the article however it’s banking on the fact that we can all have peace full stimulating debates over topics and in the end we can agree that the “correct” stance is in fact the correct stance.

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1. It was written by Jay Michaelson, for an online news outlet, for politically minded readers. He thinks that MAGAs claim of censorship was hyperbole, he wants to defend the court’s decision against the argument of social media censorship.

2. The article supports the decision that overturned an idea limiting communication between the government and social media companies. He believes that there is no ongoing censorship, except of disinformation.

3. The argument is effective, but might downplay the actual danger of governmental censorship if they work with social media companies.

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Speaker: The writer is analyzing recent Supreme Court actions, particularly involving government coordination with social media during the COVID era.

Audience: Readers interested in digital rights, government regulation, the First Amendment, and misinformation policy, likely a politically aware public.

Purpose: To critique the government’s influence over tech companies’ content moderation, arguing it constitutes a threat to free speech.

Stance: Libertarian-leaning; suspicious of government power and critical of efforts to regulate or suppress online speech.

Medium: Informational-opinion blend, likely from a digital or legal commentary platform covering recent rulings.

The article examines how the Supreme Court sided with the Biden administration, finding that its communication with social media companies did not violate the First Amendment, despite concerns about government pressure to suppress online content. The writer argues this sets a dangerous precedent by allowing indirect censorship through private platforms.

The argument is moderately persuasive for readers already critical of government overreach, using kairos from COVID data and ethos such as court cases like Missouri v. Biden effectively. However, the logic occasionally relies more on slippery slope warnings than on direct evidence of harm, which may weaken the impact for skeptical readers.

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Purpose: The author notifies people that cancel culture and censorship scare people into not voicing their opinions.

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Purpose: The author notifies people that cancel culture and censorship scare people into not voicing their opinions.

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Author: New York Times

Audience: readers of the New York Times

Medium: article

Stance: People won’t be truthful about their opinions if cancel culture and censorship are rampant.

The article talks about cancel culture and censorship banning important discussions because it makes people uncomfortable. This leads to running away from the problem and not finding a solution. The author thinks people will hide their thoughts in order to not get canceled.

I think this is a convincing argument because it’s backed by data like anti-speech bills and stats about Americans fearing criticism. It shows that speech is threatened by social pressure. The author could’ve mentioned how to balance banning hate speech while allowing free speech.

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1. Tim Wu, a Columbia University law professor and former special assistant to the president for technology and competition policy, critically examines how the First Amendment has been stretched far beyond its original meaning. Writing for educated Americans curious about free speech, the Constitution, and modern legal challenges, Wu argues that what began as a method for protecting dissenting voices and fostering democratic debate has been warped into a legal cloak for corporate authority. With a sense of urgency and analytical precision, he detects a disturbing trend, courts increasingly invoke the First Amendment to shield practices like data exploitation, manipulative advertising, and algorithmic manipulation, strategies that erode public trust and threaten the very democratic values the amendment was created to protect. Published as controversies over misinformation and corporate dominance continue to escalate, Wu's article is a call to rethink how constitutional protections should function in an age where private power can rival the state itself.

2. Tim Wu believes that the First Amendment has been stretched too far from its original purpose, and it is now being exploited by wealthy corporations and individuals as a shield against regulation and accountability. He advocates for a more even handed approach that takes into account both free speech and the public interest.

3. Wu's critique is effective because he uses simple examples, such as cases involving commercial speech and tech companies, to illustrate how the First Amendment has been distorted. His legal expertise and muted tone make his critique respectful and persuasive, especially for readers concerned about democracy's health.

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1. This is a newspaper article written by William J. Watkins Jr. for the youth who care about their government and want to stay informed to inform them that censorship isn’t the answer to deal with controversial speech. His stance is that the First Amendment should stay as is.

2. The article informed readers that censorship only harms freedom and democracy in America and isn’t the solution to the free speech problem we have now because it has backfired when it was attempted in the past.

3. I believe that this argument is very convincing because it used words that are easy to understand and uses solid evidence from major events in history where limiting free speech was harmful.

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Speaker: Tim Wu, Columbia law professor and former White House tech advisor.

Audience: Policy-makers, legal scholars, and concerned citizens wary of Big Tech and judicial overreach.

Purpose: To criticize how the courts have extended First Amendment protections in ways that now protect corporate power over public interest.

Stance: Critical of how the judiciary has weaponized the First Amendment to protect corporate speech and undermine regulation.

Medium: Editorial in The New York Times, aimed at a well-informed, liberal-leaning national audience.

Wu argues that the Supreme Court has stretched the First Amendment far beyond its original purpose, now shielding corporations, algorithms, and even surveillance in the name of “speech.” He warns this expansion threatens democracy by weakening the government’s ability to regulate private power.

The argument is highly persuasive, using legal cases and real-world examples (TikTok, data privacy) to support a nuanced critique of judicial activism. Wu’s authority, logical structure, and cautionary tone make his message credible and impactful, especially for readers concerned about tech and government balance.

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Speaker: William J. Watkins Jr., a libertarian-leaning legal scholar affiliated with the Independent Institute.

Audience: Citizens skeptical of government overreach, free speech advocates, and those concerned about campus culture.

Purpose: To argue that attempts to shield people from offensive ideas weaken democracy by discouraging open debate.

Stance: Firmly pro–free speech; sarcastic and critical of progressive safe-space culture and government censorship.

Medium: Published through Tribune Content Agency as a syndicated viewpoint column.

Watkins claims that democratic societies rely on open debate even offensive speech to stay strong and intellectually honest. He warns that efforts to restrict speech on campuses or online can lead to historical mistakes, loss of freedom, and cultural fragility.

The argument is effective due to vivid historical parallels, clear rhetorical appeals (especially logos and kairos), and strong conviction. However, the sarcastic tone and mockery of student activists may alienate some readers who might otherwise engage with the message.

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Speaker: Thomas J. Balch, a professional parliamentarian with a conservative-leaning background.

Audience: Readers concerned with civil liberties, across political lines, including free speech absolutists.

Purpose: To defend the protection of all speech, accurate or not, as essential to public debate and democratic health.

Stance: Strongly pro–free speech; critical of censorship from both the left (trigger warnings) and right (book bans).

Medium: Opinion editorial published in the Washington Post, a nationally recognized newspaper.

Balch argues that all speech, even offensive or incorrect, must remain protected to promote intellectual challenge and societal progress. He draws on legal precedent, historical examples, and philosophical reasoning to caution against censorship.

The argument is compelling due to its balanced criticism of both political extremes and use of historical and legal examples, which build logos and ethos. While the tone may feel overly rigid to some, its clarity and principled consistency make it persuasive.

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Purpose: To increase public awareness of growing threats to free expression from cultural and legislative sources and encourage renewed public commitment to open communication.

Audience: U.S. citizens, educators, lawmakers, and all who have an interest in democracy and civic discussion.

Writer/Speaker: The New York Times editorial board positioning itself as a historically liberal but bipartisan advocate for democratic ideals.

Stance: Urges evenhanded defense of free speech on both political extremes, denouncing progressive censorship culture and conservative gag legislation equally.

Medium/Design: Editorial format with polls, anecdotes, legal citations, and commentary.

The article contends that America’s commitment to free speech is eroding due to increasing censorship from both government and private entities, particularly on college campuses and social media. It warns that this trend undermines democratic values and discourages open debate and dissenting views.

The argument is moderately successful—it raises legitimate concerns about the cultural and institutional pressures against free expression and uses familiar examples to build its case. However, it tends to rely on anecdotal evidence and leans into alarmist tones without fully addressing opposing viewpoints or the complexities of moderating harmful content.

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Purpose: To explain and support the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the government to work with social media companies to remove dangerous or false content.

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Purpose: To explain and support the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the government to work with social media companies to remove dangerous or false content.

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Audience: People interested in free speech, social media, and law.

Writer: Jay Michaelson, opinion writer and commentator.

Stance: Supports limiting misinformation on social media while acknowledging free speech concerns.

Medium: Online opinion article.

The Supreme Court ruled that the government can work with social media companies to remove harmful or false content, finding no proof of ongoing improper pressure. The author argues this is necessary to fight misinformation and that fears of government censorship are exaggerated.

The article clearly explains the Court’s decision and the arguments on both sides. It balances concerns about free speech with the need to stop dangerous misinformation. The author’s tone is informal but persuasive, making the complex issue easier to understand.

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1. It was written by Christine Mehta, to criticize the current applications of the first amendment. Her audience is mostly readers interested in law. She thinks that the first amendment should be interpreted in a way that prioritizes healthy speech. It was written for a newspaper.

2. The article goes over Mary Anne Frank’s ideas that the first amendment has been utilized by people in power to buy themselves more freedom, while also neglecting more vulnerable groups. It shows multiple examples where the first amendment has failed to protect the people it was written for.

3. The argument is good, it uses very relevant evidence and shows many historical failures. The emotional appeal does a lot to help convince readers.

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1. This is a online article written by Jay Michaelson for people who are politically and socially informed and are worried about how free speech may possibly be used incorrectly on Soical media, with the purpose of analyzing Supreme Court ruling over the matter of free speech. His stance is that the First Amendment should be kept as is.

2. The article informs us of a Supreme Court decision to restrict government control over social media platforms and while this does well in allowing full freedom in speech, it doesn’t protect us from the harmful speech we see.

3. I believe that this argument isn’t convincing because it feels very opinion based and insensitive at times because of the harsh terms that are included and the manner that it’s being used.

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Purpose: To make a case for robust free speech protection despite the offense produced by offensive or incorrect ideas.

Audience: General readers, teachers, policymakers, legal theorists, and everyone with an interest in First Amendment issues.

Writer/Speaker: An advocate of free speech, who has considered but unclosed-minded opinions but holds freedom of expression higher than censorship.

Stance: Strongly favoring broad free speech protections, wary of attempts at censorship from any political direction.

Medium/Design: Editorial or opinion article, likely in an academic or popular journal.

The author argues that even disturbing or inaccurate speech must be protected because suppressing it stifles intellectual growth and can delay the correction of societal wrongs. He cautions that censorship, no matter how well-intentioned, risks empowering biased authorities and undermining the democratic process.

The argument is largely effective, supported by historical examples, philosophical references, and a clear defense of free inquiry. However, its impact is weakened by a slightly idealized view of public resilience and a lack of engagement with the real-world harms that certain speech can cause.

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Speaker: The New York Times editorial board.

Audience: The general American public, especially moderates, liberals, and politically engaged citizens.

Purpose: The purpose of the article was to argue that free speech is under threat not just from the government censorship, but also from societal pressures and political retaliation.

Stance: The author doesn’t take a whole position on the matter; however, they add insight and factual information to the discussion of free speech is dying.

Medium: The article is much written like a article.

The editorial argues that many Americans feel silenced by both societal and political forces, including cancel culture and partisan censorship. It calls for a national effort to protect open expression across ideological divides in order to ensure democracy.

The argumente is persuasive because it uses credible data, bipartisan quotes, and balanced reasoning to support its message. By acknowledging faults on both the political left and right, the editorial enhances its ethos, appealing to a wide audience and effectively reinforcing urgency.

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1. The authors purpose within the article is to criticize the misuse of the First Amendement . The article uses Mary Anne Frank’s ideas to support her claim that free speech is being distorted by the people in power. Her audience includes many readers who are aware of politics and the law. The author draws credibility by quoting Mary Anne Frank.

2. Throughout the article, Mehta acknowledges and critiques free speech, stating how it can be harmful and dangerous. She also thinks that the people in power are using it to their advantage, and without us acting they will continue to silence communities under the protection of free expression.

3. Mehta’s arguments are backed up by current events occurring today. While her stance in the discussion challenges free speech, the use of real world examples further strengthens her claim and makes this article relevant and persuasive.

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Purpose: To inform and convince readers of the importance of maintaining robust free speech, even if the speech is offensive or unpopular.

Audience: Public, students, teachers, policymakers, and members of interest groups concerned with free speech, academic freedom, and democratic values.

Writer/Speaker: William J. Watkins Jr., commentator emphasizing the importance of free expression to preserve democratic health.

Stance: Firmly in support of broad First Amendment protection and against restriction of speech and "safe space" politics.

Medium/Design: Opinion or editorial column targeted at an educated public audience.

The author argues that robust free speech and argument are essential to a healthy democracy and issues a warning against appeals to curtail "poisonous" or "hate" speech, particularly on university campuses. Drawing on legal cases and historical examples, he insists that robust public discourse, even when uncomfortable, strengthens democratic society.

The argument is largely successful due to its use of historical precedent, legal references, and rhetorical appeals to logic and civic responsibility. However, the effectiveness is slightly undercut by sarcastic language and the use of hasty generalizations, which may alienate some readers or weaken his credibility with a more neutral audience.

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Purpose: To warn people that cancel culture and fear are making it hard to speak freely in America.

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Purpose: To warn people that cancel culture and fear are making it hard to speak freely in America.

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Audience: Everyone, especially those who care about free speech and democracy.

Writer: The New York Times editorial team.

Stance: Worried that people don’t feel safe to share their opinions anymore and want to fix that.

Medium: Online newspaper opinion article.

The article says many Americans are scared to share their opinions because they might get shamed or canceled. Both the left and right blame each other for this problem. Losing free speech hurts democracy and stops people from solving problems. Polls show most people think free speech is at risk.

The article makes a good case using polls and facts. It shows both sides of the problem and explains why free speech is important. It is easy to understand and convincing.

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1. Author Christine Mehta, writes for The Boston Globe’s opinion section. Her aim is to inform politically engaged readers about overlooking the consequences of strict First Amendment protections on online speech. She builds on Mary Anne Franks’s critique, highlighting how extremist or abusive speech, even without legal censorship, can drown out and intimidate marginalized voices.

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1. Author Christine Mehta, writes for The Boston Globe’s opinion section. Her aim is to inform politically engaged readers about overlooking the consequences of strict First Amendment protections on online speech. She builds on Mary Anne Franks’s critique, highlighting how extremist or abusive speech, even without legal censorship, can drown out and intimidate marginalized voices.

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2. Mehta argues that absolutist free speech approaches allow hateful, obscene, and harassing speech to flourish, which silences vulnerable groups and undermines public discourse. She ties the rise of such speech to the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine and unchecked speech platforms controlled by powerful figures like Elon Musk.

3. Her argument is convincing when she mentions historical policy shifts to real-world outcomes, clearly showing how certain voices drown out others and how power imbalances exploit broad speech protections . However, the piece would be more convincing with more concrete policy alternatives. While it effectively critiques, it leaves readers wanting clearer guidance on what should be done.

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Purpose: To inform the public about the Supreme Court decision while persuading readers to forget that government social media coordination amounted to censorship.

Audience: Politically engaged citizens, legal commentators, and readers skeptical of MAGA-prompted narratives.

Writer/Speaker: A political or legal commentator writing for The Daily Beast, adopting a critical stance against right wing legal developments.

Stance: Firmly on the side of the Supreme Court majority; patronizing and critical of plaintiffs and dissenting judges.

Medium/Design: An online opinion column written in an outspoken and partisan tone, likely addressed to a liberal-leaning audience.

The author berates Murthy v. Missouri plaintiffs who argued that the Biden administration pressured social media to censor conservative opinion about COVID-19 and the 2020 election. It argues that the dissenting justices indulged in conspiracy theories, and defends the government’s coordination with platforms as a legitimate and constitutional response to misinformation. The argument is largely successful due to its strong use of logos and kairos. The author clearly explains the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's decision, citing the Court’s majority opinion and the lack of concrete evidence of coercion. This logical clarity strengthens the credibility of the argument.

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Purpose: To persuade people to support free speech, even when it’s uncomfortable or wrong.

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Purpose: To persuade people to support free speech, even when it’s uncomfortable or wrong.

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Audience: General public, especially people who care about rights and democracy.

Writer: A former leader of a pro-life group and speech expert.

Stance: Believes all speech should be protected, even if it’s offensive.

Medium: Newspaper opinion article.

The author argues that protecting even uncomfortable or inaccurate speech is vital for democracy. Without it, people may be shielded from necessary challenges that lead to growth and justice.

The argument is convincing for people who support free speech. The author uses strong examples from history to show why protecting all speech matters.

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1. Throughout the article, Wu argues that the U.S has taken its protections of the First Amendment too far, which allows harmful and dangerous speech go unchallenged and allows big corporations to say whatever they want. He suggests that legal teams need to take some sort of action and set a set of boundaries in place to further protect the people.

2. His purpose with the article is to inform the public as well as persuade some law makers and enforcers. The audience is mainly legal students and policymakers, and some regular people who are invested in the aspects of law.

3. Tim Wu is a law professor at Columbia, which gives him credibility in many aspects having to do with law and policies. His call for a more balanced approach is convincing to the reader because it acknowledges the value that free speech has, while also acknowledging the danger that it has become.

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1. This is a newspaper written by Chrisrine Mehta for people who are worried about the protection of their free speech and the topics it’s related to such as stalking and white supremacy to promote and analyze the contents of the book, “Fearless Speech”. Her stance is that there should be reforms in our minds about how the First Amendment should be used.

2. The article warns about the harmful effects of allowing the government to make the decision about what is protected and what isn’t protected under the First Amendment because doing so would give the government control over the people, so all speech, even harmful speech should be protected under the amendment.

3. I believe that this argument is convincing because it provides real evidence of how free-speech has been used for both good and bad and uses logical justification to how both should be protected.

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1. This is a newspaper written by Tim Wu, directed toward people interested in free speech and the first amendment. He warns about the dangers that come with allowing companies to utilize fully free speech.

2. The author argues that the first amendment has been largely interpreted in a way that protects the speech of big corporations and powerful people. This misinterpretation, he says, threatens the national safety of the American people.

3. I think he has a strong argument. He cites relevant cases that show how free speech has expanded, especially recently.

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Purpose: To persuade readers that protecting all speech, even offensive speech is necessary for democracy.

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Purpose: To persuade readers that protecting all speech, even offensive speech is necessary for democracy.

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Audience: People concerned about free speech, especially those critical of speech restrictions on college campuses.

Writer/Speaker: William J. Watkins Jr., a writer and researcher who supports strong First Amendment rights.

Stance: He supports free speech and is against speech restrictions or safe spaces.

Medium/Design: A newspaper opinion article.

Watkins argues that restricting speech makes democracy weaker. He says we should face opinions we dislike instead of silencing them.

The argument is convincing if you believe in strong free speech rights. His use of U.S. history and examples helps support his point, though he doesn’t fully address how harmful speech can affect others.

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Mehta’s argument is largely convincing be abuse it uses real legal cases like Counterman v. Colorado, to show how free speech protections can harm victims rather than protect them. By including both emotional examples and logical reasoning, the article appeals to pathos and logos effectively. While some readers might resist reevaluating. First Amendment norms, the article’s clear structure and expert-backed critique makes it call for reform.

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1. Tim Wu, a law professor, writes this article for an audience who cares about free speech and current events, especially how the internet has changed things. He wants to show that the First Amendment isn’t working the way it used to and needs to be updated.

2. Wu argues that the First Amendment is being used to protect harmful online speech, like trolling and fake news, instead of helping real conversations. He thinks the laws should change to fit today’s digital world.

3. His argument is convincing because he gives examples of how free speech is being misused online. But he doesn’t clearly explain how we should fix it, which makes his solution a little hard to understand.

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Purpose: To inform readers about Mary Anne Franks' critique of the First Amendment and to persuade them to reconsider how free speech protections are applied, especially when harmful speech silences or endangers others.

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Purpose: To inform readers about Mary Anne Franks' critique of the First Amendment and to persuade them to reconsider how free speech protections are applied, especially when harmful speech silences or endangers others.

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Audience: The general public — especially Boston Globe readers who are likely educated and socially/politically engaged.

Writer/Speaker: Christine Mehta, a journalist writing about the book Fearless Speech by law professor Mary Anne Franks. Mehta conveys Franks’ ideas while also subtly supporting her position.

Stance: The stance is critical yet thoughtful. Mehta, through Franks' perspective, challenges traditional First Amendment interpretations and highlights their failures to protect vulnerable people from harm, while advocating for a more nuanced view of what "free speech" should mean.

Medium/Design: Newspaper article / Book review / Opinion-analysis piece, published in The Boston Globe.

The article explores Mary Anne Franks' argument that the First Amendment often protects dangerous, hateful, or harassing speech, like stalking or white supremacy, while failing to defend vulnerable people. Franks calls for society to prioritize “fearless speech” that advances justice and democracy, rather than reckless speech that causes harm.

The argument is highly convincing because it’s backed by legal examples, emotional impact, and moral reasoning. By highlighting disturbing cases like Counterman v. Colorado, Franks and Mehta show how current free speech interpretations can endanger victims, making a strong case for more balanced protections that consider both freedom and safety.

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Christine Mehta examines how First Amendment protections often shield harmful, hateful, or misogynistic speech while falling to defend vulnerable voices. Through legal cases and Mary Anne Franks’ critique, the article argues that free speech law needs to prioritize people, not power.

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Purpose: informs readers about criticisms of First Amendment interpretations and persuades legal and public audiences to reconsider how free speech is applied.

Audience: Legal scholars, policymakers, activists, and concerned citizens

Writer/Speaker: Christine Mehta, a journalist reporting on Mary Anne Franks’s arguments

Stance: Critical of current First Amendment protections for reckless speech; supportive of Franks’s call for reform to better protect marginalized individuals.

Medium/Design: Opinion or a feature article likely in a reputable publication

The author documents Mary Anne Frank’s condemnation of the modern depiction of the First amendment as being too loose with harmful intent oriented speech such as stalking, hate groups, and harassment and not sufficient protecting vulnerable people. The argument is less successful because the author invokes the “false dilemma” fallacy portraying free speech as either protecting reckless and harmful speech of empowering just speech simplifying a complex legal and ethical issue.

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The purpose of the article was to inform the American people the danger of free speech on our society. The audience is mostly for Americans; however, it’s targeted at law makers. The writer of the article is Christine Mehta; however, she samples mainly from a low professor, Mary Franks. In regards to free speech, the author thinks it needs to reforms in order to help protect individual rights. The format of this document is a article, much like a PSA.

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The purpose of this article is a explanation of Mary Anne Frank's book by critiquing the pitfalls of too much leniency of free speech for the reckless speakers.

The audience are largely people in academia or those that read the Boston Globe newspaper.

The author Chrisrine Mehta delivers the argument based on many of the points Professor Mary Anne Frank writes about and has a strong stance in the lack of protection for fearless speakers that deserve more support.

The medium design is an article in the newspaper section that is digitized.

The author largely discusses the difference between hateful reckless speech and the fearless speech that are used by minorities to advocate for their needs. She finds that the free speech we assume we have is actually severely limited and more often the type of speech that is protected is the reckless one. I think that this one in specific is one of the most convincing articles because of how much evidence it uses and the clear pinpoint of instances where free speech infringement happens to advocates but not stalkers. It also is very convincing in knowing to tow the balance of what it means that free speech is limited in its effect without making far fetched arguments that are inaccurate.

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1. This is a newspaper written by Tim Wu for readers of the New York Times in order to call attention to the fact that the First Amendment is being used to protect corporate interests more than the people’s interests. His stance is that there should be a reform in the First Amendment.

2. The article argues that we should make reforms to the First Amendment because it’s being used to protect social media platforms that are sometimes being used to cause uproar over the government.

3. I believe the argument is convincing because the article includes a lot of solid evidence as to how social media companies have misused the First Amendment instead of basing the argument on their own opinions on the matter.

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The authors purpose is to inform the public and persuade the legal and political establishment to rethink how First amendment rights are applied. His audience is mainly legal scholars, policy makers, and concerned citizens. Wu, the author, is a Columbia law professor and former white house advisor. He is firmly critical of the courts expansive interpretation of the first amendment. His essay is likely an opinion published in a reputable newspaper.

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The authors purpose is to inform the public and persuade the legal and political establishment to rethink how First amendment rights are applied. His audience is mainly legal scholars, policy makers, and concerned citizens. Wu, the author, is a Columbia law professor and former white house advisor. He is firmly critical of the courts expansive interpretation of the first amendment. His essay is likely an opinion published in a reputable newspaper.

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The author criticizes the modern judicial interpretation of the First Amendment in the article for deviating away from defending minority voices to protecting technological and corporate forces. The success of the argument is low, the authors essay is an opinion and he invokes the “straw man” fallacy” which exaggerates their position and makes it seem extreme and easier to attack.

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Wu’s argument is convincing because he uses real legal cases and examples to show the consequences of the courts' expanding interpretation. His tone, evidence, and explanation of current tech-related rulings make his concerns clear and persuasive.

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Wu’s argument is convincing because he uses real legal cases and examples to show the consequences of the courts' expanding interpretation. His tone, evidence, and explanation of current tech-related rulings make his concerns clear and persuasive.

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Tim Wu argues that the First Amendment has been twisted by the courts to protect corporate interests and block government regulation. He warns this misuse could endanger national security, privacy rights, and democracy itself.

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Tim Wu argues that the First Amendment has been twisted by the courts to protect corporate interests and block government regulation. He warns this misuse could endanger national security, privacy rights, and democracy itself.

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Purpose: To persuade the audience that the First Amendment is being overextended by the courts in ways that protect corporations rather than individuals

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Purpose: To persuade the audience that the First Amendment is being overextended by the courts in ways that protect corporations rather than individuals

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Audience: Educated readers of The New York Times, including concerned citizens interested in free speech, law, and technology.

Writer/Speaker: Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University

Stance: Wu has a critical and concerned stance. He believes the First Amendment is being misinterpreted to serve powerful tech corporations, threatening democratic control and public safety.

Medium/Design: Newspaper opinion piece published in The New York Times.