Constitutional or Unconstitutional?
Pretend you are an attorney in the case of Scott v. Sandford (Dred Scott Case).
Write a five paragraph opening statement that explains why this case is either
constitutional or unconstitutional. After you have researched the facts that are provided,
choose to either be a part of the defense or prosecution team. Try to persuade the
Supreme Court to hear or throw out the case. Remember you must stick to the facts.
Use the following questions as a guideline for your opening argument.
1. Does Scott have the right to sue?
2. Should Scott be free as a result of living in a state and territory where slavery was
illegal?
3. Is it constitutional for Congress to limit slavery in the territories?
(Discuss the Missouri Compromise briefly.)
Use the list of terms and underline or highlight them. (Use NC text pages 316-333)
Constitution
enslaved
precedent
Abraham Lincoln
Missouri Compromise
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Declaration of Independence
abolish
natural law
institution
Dred Scott Essay Outline
Paragraph One
The first sentence should catch the reader’s attention. State your THESIS and provide
three reasons or pieces of evidence you will use to support your position.
THESIS = The main idea/point of view, often written as a single declarative sentence.
Paragraph Two, Three, and Four
The body of the essay includes at least three well developed reasons that support the
thesis. Each reason should have its own paragraph and should be expanded and
supported by evidence. The author presents and refutes an opposing idea in one of the
body paragraphs while supporting one of their reasons. The writer uses research, class
notes, AND prior knowledge to provide details and examples that support each reason.
The writer demonstrates their knowledge of opposing opinions.
Paragraph Five
Restate your THESIS and the evidence you used to support your position without using
any new information.
The essay should use argumentative/persuasive language to influence the reader.
Dred Scott Case
Constitutional or Unconstitutional?
Pretend you are an attorney in the case of Scott v. Sandford (Dred Scott Case). Write a five
paragraph opening statement that explains why this case is either constitutional or unconstitutional.
After you have researched the facts that are provided, choose to either be a part of the defense or
prosecution team. Try to persuade the Supreme Court to hear or throw out the case. Remember you
must stick to the facts. Use the following questions as a guideline for your opening argument.
1. Does Scott have the right to sue?
2. Should Scott be free as a result of living in a state and territory where slavery was illegal?
3. Is it constitutional for Congress to limit slavery in the territories?
(Discuss the Missouri Compromise briefly.)
Use the list of terms and underline or highlight them. (Use NC text pages 316-333)
Constitution
enslaved
precedent
Abraham Lincoln
Missouri Compromise
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Declaration of Independence
abolish
natural law
institution
ARGUMENTATIVE/PERSUASIVE ESSAY RUBRIC
Use the following scale as a guide to score the essay using a 0-10 scale.
10 = excellent
8 = satisfactory
6 = needs improvement
ASSESSMENT
The essay is at least five paragraphs long.
Each paragraph is indented with 4 or more sentences.
The opening sentence catches the reader’s attention.
The introduction paragraph states the thesis in at least one or two sentences
The introduction paragraph contains a brief list of at least three reasons that
support the thesis.
The body of the essay includes at least three well developed reasons that support
the thesis. Each reason should have its own paragraph and should be expanded
and supported by evidence.
The author presents and refutes an opposing idea in one of the body paragraphs
while supporting one of their reasons.
The writer uses research, class notes, AND prior knowledge to provide details
and examples that support each reason.
The concluding paragraph restates the thesis and summarizes the argument
without presenting any new information.
The author avoids using 1st person point of view and emotional statements such
as "I think" and "I feel" and sticks to evidence.
The essay uses argumentative/persuasive language to influence the reader.
The writer demonstrates their knowledge of opposing opinions.
TOTALS
0 = no evidence
SELF
PEER
PEER