EN7: Composition: Censorship Research Paper
OBJECTIVE:
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry
when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation
(W.11.12.7).
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
1. THE HISTORY OF CENSORSHIP (550 BC to 1950s): What has society learned from the history of censorship and how might
this influence censorship in the future?
2.
PRESENT-DAY CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (Media: Radio, TV, Film, Art): Is some form of government censorship
necessary to protect society, or should freedom of speech be absolute?
3.
PRESENT-DAY IN CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (Music): Considering the profound and even revolutionary role music has
played in society, what is the danger of imposing restrictions on music lyrics that are considered controversial or offensive?
4.
PRESENT-DAY CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (The Internet): How will society change (positively and/or negatively) if
Internet restrictions increase in the future?
5.
CENSORSHIP ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD: Why have foreign governments gone to such extremes to censor the works of
a few prominent authors? What are they afraid of?
6.
BOOK BURNING AND BOOK BANNING: What would society lose if the most frequently targeted books for censorship were
burned, banned, or altered so they no longer offend people?
RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS:
 Minimum of 2 sources per paper (12 total)
 Mixed-media sources (must use video, articles, journals, blogs, etc.)
 Critiques required for each source (18 total)
 Works Cited created and added to as your research builds
 Mini-essays due for each guiding question (turnitin.com)
 Final Argument paper required (containing each mini-essay and the cumulative works cited)
STEP 1: RESEARCH (Critiques)
Pick one of the six essential questions. Research in order to find two sources with quality information to answer the question. For
each source complete a critique essay. Submit these to turnitin.com under critique 1 and 2. See additional handout for the critique
requirements.
Repeat the above process for the next 5 essential questions (critiques 3-12). 12 critiques (20 pts each = 240 pts)
Step 2: Mini-Essays
Go back to the 6 essential questions. Take one and write a well-developed 10-12 sentence paragraph which incorporates evidence
from the two sources you wrote critiques for and be sure to use in-text citations. Remember that your topic sentences should be
answer the essential question. Submit this essay into turnitin.com under mini-essay 1. Repeat writing these mini-essays through the
sixth essential question. 6 mini-essays (25 points each = 150 points)
Step 3: The Argument Essay
Take the mini-essays and cut and paste them onto a new word document. Create an introduction paragraph that states your thesis on
arguing for or against censorship of media. Revise and add transitions between your body paragraphs. Include headings for each
section (mini-essay) that is the essential question title. Finish the essay with a conclusion that proposes a call to action (what are the
next steps and future implications?). Add your Works Cited page by cutting and pasting your source MLA entries from your
critiques onto a new page. Be sure to alphabetize by the first word of each entry. Use hanging indentions. You have just built an 8
paragraph research argument essay. Nice job. Submit to turnitin for peer review. After your feedback, revise and submit under the
revised paper on turnitin.
MLA FORMAT REQUIREMENTS: Perfect your current knowledge of MLA format including parenthetical documentation (in-text
citations) and creating a works cited document. You may use the following online resources to help you:
General Information: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html
Works Cited Information: http://landmark-project.com.citation_machine/
http://www.noodletools.com.login.php
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Suggestions for each E.Q
1. The History of Censorship (550 BS to 1950s)- Research the history of censorship including key figures William
Tyndale, John Peter Zenger, Thomas Bowdler, Joseph McCarthy. Adolf Hitler, and Joseph Stalin and others to
determine the roots, motivation, reasons, and dangers of censorship in our past and how this may have
influenced censorship in our present-day society.
2. Present-Day Censorship in America (Media: Radio, TV, Film, Art)- Examine present-day censorship of the
media in America, considering both direct media (radio, tv, and film) and indirect forms such as art. Investigate
the authorities that control or regulate these media such as the Federal Communications Commission or the
National Endowment of the Arts, and their policies on ratings and censorship. Also consider the development of
technologies such as the V-chip to allow parents to regulate what their children are able to watch.
3. Present-Day Censorship in America (Music)- Consider the implications of Bradbury’s statement that “ a longplaying record is a book.” Look at the most frequently attacked music and why it is attacked as well as the music
industry’s efforts to self-regulate. Discuss the role of the legal system in censorship and regulation of music.
4. Present-Day Censorship in America (The Internet)- The Internet remains to be the fastest growing and most
accessible arena for individuals and groups to exercise free speech and publish their ideas to a mass audience.
While the Internet today remains largely unregulated, that may change in the future. Investigate the
government’s recent discussions about the need to regulate the Internet. Consider what forms of Internet
censorship already occur and why. Predict how you think the Internet will be used and regulated in the future.
5. Censorship Elsewhere in the World- Examine censorship in other parts of the world where the consequences
have been even more severe than in America including the possibility of death and/or imprisonment for authors.
Investigate some of the authors who have been or still are targets of censorship in their countries including
James Joyce, Federico Garcia Lorca, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Nadine Gordimer, and Salman Rushdie. Consider
what topics they wrote about and what they were willing to endure in order to see their works published.
6. Book Burning and Book Banning- Research the history of book burning. In the United States, few books are
burned anymore, but they continue to be banned. Investigate how and why books continue to be banned and
how this is possible given the First Amendment right to free speech. Find out about the most frequently targeted
books for banning as well as particular authors who have been singled out such as Kurt Vonnegut Jr., J.D.
Salinger, Mark Twain, Judy Blume, Stephen King, or J.K. Rowling. Consider the harm done through the
censorship of important works such The Diary of Anne Frank and others.
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PLACES TO START YOUR RESEARCH ONLINE
The History of Censorship (550 BC to 1950s)
History (500 to 1950s):
Encyclopedia: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6.society/A0857225.html
Timeline: http://www.tabula-rasa.info/DarkAges/CensorshipTimeline.html
John Peter Zenger: http://earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/bookmarks/zenger/
Thomas Bowdler: http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bowdler
Joseph McCarthy: http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism
Nazi’s & Art: http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/arts/artDegen.htm
Present-Day Censorship in America (The Media: Radio, Film, TV, Art)
Present-Day (1960-2002) Timeline:
http://www.tabula-rasa.info/DarkAges/CensorshipTimeline.html
FCC & Radio Shock Jocks: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/radiocallin.html
Film: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1819.htm
TV & the V-chip: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/v-chip-putting-restrictions-what-your-children-watch
Present-Day Censorship in America (Music)
History of Banned Music: http://www.angelfire.com/co/helper/banned.html
First amendment and music censorship: http://www.lehigh.edu/~infirst/musiccensorship.html
Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMRC
Present-Day Censorship in America (The Internet)
Internet Censorship: http://www.epic.org/free_speech/censorship/
Legal Challenge to Internet Censorship: http://www.epic.org/free_speech/censorship/lawsuit/
Internet Free Speech: https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/internet-censorship
Internet Filters in Schools: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/whats-the-impact-of-overzealous-internet-filtering-in-schools/
Censorship Elsewhere in the World
History:
Encyclopedia: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0857226.html
Timeline: http://tabula-rasa.info/DarkAges/CensorshipTimeline.html
Banned books around the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_books_banned_by_governments
Book Burning vs. Book Banning
History of Book Burning: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/10/book-burning-in-history_n_3241108.html
First Amendment Rights: http://www.lehigh.edu/~infirst/bookcensorship.html
Judy Blume: http://www.judyblume.com/censorship.php
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Censorship Research Paper: Step 1
OBJECTIVE:
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry
when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation
(W.11.12.7).
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
1. THE HISTORY OF CENSORSHIP (550 BC to 1950s): What has society learned from the history of censorship and how
might this influence censorship in the future?
2.
PRESENT-DAY CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (Media: Radio, TV, Film, Art): Is some form of government censorship
necessary to protect society, or should freedom of speech be absolute?
3.
PRESENT-DAY IN CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (Music): Considering the profound and even revolutionary role music
has played in society, what is the danger of imposing restrictions on music lyrics that are considered controversial or
offensive?
4.
PRESENT-DAY CENSORSHIP IN AMERICA (The Internet): How will society change (positively and/or negatively) if
Internet restrictions increase in the future?
5.
CENSORSHIP ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD: Why have foreign governments gone to such extremes to censor the
works of a few prominent authors? What are they afraid of?
6.
BOOK BURNING AND BOOK BANNING: What would society lose if the most frequently targeted books for censorship
were burned, banned, or altered so they no longer offend people?
RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS:
 Minimum of 2 sources per paper (12 total)
 Mixed-media sources (must use video, articles, journals, blogs, etc.)
 Critiques required for each source (18 total)
STEP 1: RESEARCH (Critiques)
1. Start with essential question 1.
2. Research in order to find two sources with quality information to answer the question.
3. For each source complete a critique essay.
4. Submit these to turnitin.com under critiques 1-2.
5. Repeat the above process for the next 5 essential questions (critiques 3-12). 12 (20 pts each = 240 pts)
Critique Format  actually write the critique using numbering and headings as below.
1.
MLA citation as an entry for a Works Cited page (use the References tab or other source)
2.
Summary: Summarize the article by stating the claim or main point and evidence provided. Provide 2-3 key quotes from
this source that you could use for your research paper. This paragraph is approximately 4-6 sentences.
3.
Criticism: Write a paragraph stating whether you feel the author did a good or bad job with his/her persuasive techniques or
informative details and evidence. Which of the appeals were used? Explain and state how they were or were not effective.
If you feel that the author did a poor job and was not effective, explain what you would have done differently and why.
This paragraph is approximately 4-6 sentences.
4.
Reflection: What do you think about this source? How can you relate to what was discussed or argued? Is this a topic or
example that is current and relevant? How so? Write down your personal feelings about this issue and how the article
affected you.
*As you finish each critique, submit it to turnitin.com. If you finish all of the critiques (12), begin the next step in this
project, the mini-essays.
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Due Dates:
Week 1 (10.21-10.24): Prewriting: what do you know about each topic? journals
Week 2 (10.27-10.29): 1 critique submitted per two days in lab (2 total)
Week 3 (11.3, 5, 7): 1 submit per day (3 total)
Week 4 (11.10-11.14): 1 submit per day (3 total); 1.5 essential questions completed
Week 5: (11.17-11.21): last 2 critiques due; begin step 2 (mini-essays) 2 e.q. due
Week 6: (12.1-12.5): 1 mini-essay due per day (4)
Week 7: (12.8-12): Rough Draft & Works Cited
Week 8: (12.15-12.16): Final Paper
Finals: 12.17-12.19: Presentations for Finals
Academic Vocabulary:
Bias
Toulmin
Claim
Warrant
Rebuttal
Concession
Inductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Persuasive Rhetoric
Voice
MLA
Grammar:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Quotations
Citation conventions
Commas
Semicolons
Transitions
Diction (particularly persuasive
language)
Phrases that introduce quotes
Sentence types
Active & Passive Sentence Patterns
Adjective Clauses
Comma, Semicolon, and Colon
connections
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