You will now compose an essay in which you will report on the key similarities and differences between your state constitution and the U.S. Constitution. This
comparison will focus on government structure and civil liberties protections. The rest of this lesson will help you complete your research and structure your
essay accordingly. First, review the four components of the essay:
Discuss general similarities and differences between your state constitution and the U.S. Constitution (in terms of government and document structure).
Report on whether your state constitution includes a statement or bill of rights. Summarize the kinds of rights that are protected. How do they compare with
the protections in the U.S. Bill of Rights?
Drill down to the specific right to privacy. Why is the right to privacy important? Is it explicitly mentioned in your state constitution? What are the exact
words? Evaluate the scope of privacy protection offered—does it provide more, or less, protection than the U.S Constitution’s implied right to privacy?
Assess the merit of explicit versus general constitutional language in the protection of rights. Is one more preferable than another? How does the language in
your state constitution compare to the language in the U.S. Constitution?
Sample Solution