Supreme Court Analysis Paper Outline (save as: First initialLast Name_SC Outline)
Requirements (12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins)
 Detailed Outline (see example below for guideline) in proper outline format
 Reference Page (doesn’t have to be complete, just what you have so far, but should be
in proper format)
*Remember this will be a grade (lines on the page indicate a new page)
Name
Period
Case
I.
Introduction of Case
A. Roe v. Wade has been one of the most controversial cases of the 20th century. The
hot topic of abortion found its way to the Supreme Court in 1973.
B. This important case helped define the right to privacy by extended the 14th
amendment to cover a woman’s right to an abortion, striking down laws limiting
abortion across the United States.
II. Background/Facts of the Case/Circumstances
A. Jane Roe is actual a fake name to protect the identity of Norma McCorvey, a single
woman. She was challenging the Texas law which did not allow abortion. By the
time the case was heard, she had given the baby up for adoption. (Finkelman &
Uropsky, 2003).
B. Roe v. Wade was decided along with Doe v. Bolton. Mary Doe was a mother of
three.
III. Constitutional Question
A. Right to privacy, as established by Griswold v. Conneticut (1965) (Gerber, 2000)
B. 14th Amendment, due process
IV. Court Decision (Finkelman & Uropsky, 2003)
A. Majority Opinion
1.With a 7-2 decision, Justice Blackmun wrote the opinion of the court
2.Concurring Opinion – Burger
3.Concurring Opinion – Douglass
4.Concurring Opinion - Stuart
B. Dissenting Opinions
1.White
2.Rehnquist
V. Relevant Precedents
A. Griswold v. Connecticut
VI. Impact
A. The impact of Roe v. Wade has been long reaching.
VII. Opinion
A. Inspite of my personal pro-life or pro-choice leanings, I do not believe that the
Supreme Court should have entertained this court case. I firmly believe that this
should have been a state issue.
VIII. Conclusion
A. Roe v. Wade set a precedent, firmly establishing the right to privacy….
Name, #
References
Gerber, S. (June 2000). Privacy and Constitutional Theory. Social Philosophy and Policy, pp
165-185.
Finkelman, P. & Uropsky, M. Roe v. Wade in Landmark Decisions of the United States
Supreme Court (2003).