Fahrenheit 451 Essay Topics
ALL writing should use at least one passage quoted from Fahrenheit 451
Each prompt has ideas to help you take notes and plan your arguments. You will need to come
up with a thesis and evidence from the novel to support your ideas.
1. Our Dystopian World? This is an Expository Essay choice.
Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 as a warning for the direction society was taking. Think about
the ideas (censorship, loss of freedom, mindless leisure, control of the people, etc.) that he is
worried about in the novel. Do you think our world is heading in a bad direction?
In your essay, discuss Montag’s society and compare it to ours. Draw a conclusion about
how censored or controlled our world is in comparison to Fahrenheit 451. Are we heading
toward a more controlled society, one that is more dumbed down? What evidence suggests
your conclusion, and why? Use examples and one or more quotations from the book to support
your analysis.
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
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What restrictions do we have in our society, and who decides what information we can
receive? How much are we censored; in what ways are we censored?
How important and time-filling are our recreational pursuits? What do people occupy
their time with? How do they compare with those in Fahrenheit 451?
Is society in the book happier and healthier because of its restrictions? How would you
compare this to our world?
2. Montag’s Foils: This is an Expository Essay choice.
A “foil” is someone that provokes or challenges the protagonist. Montag’s foils in the novel are
Clarisse, Beatty, Mildred and Faber, each of whom brings out a dramatic response in Montag.
Choose the two characters you think are most influential foils, and discuss how these
characters help bring Montag closer to self-realization.
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How does Montag’s relationship to the characters change? How do they help to influence
/ change him?
Would he have chosen the path he did without them?
Use examples and one or more quotations from the book to support your analysis.
3. The Place of Censorship: This is a Persuasive Essay choice.
Beatty justifies the new role of firemen by claiming to be "custodians of [society's] peace of
mind, the focus of [the] understandable and right dread of being inferior" (58-59). What does he
mean by this, and is there any sense that he might be right?
Take a stance on the place and role of censorship and restriction of information in our
society, and defend your position using examples from Fahrenheit 451, as well as from our
own society, as evidence for or against your position. Your essay will be comparing the real
and the fictional as you defend your take on censorship.
Questions to consider while outlining and writing your essay:
 What are the purposes for restricting information and banning books in Fahrenheit 451?
Is it effective?
 Are there any circumstances where censorship might play a beneficial role in society?
How would you define appropriate censorship or restriction?
 Are there some books that should be banned?
Essay details:
100 points
Length: 500-750 words (about 1-1/2 to 3 pages)
Must be TYPED in 12 point font, double spaced
Use a proper heading on your paper, and include a CREATIVE title.
Name
Class
Teacher
Date
Wed 4/14: Discuss essay choices / outline
Fri 4/16: Work on outline, conference with me. THESIS Statement?
Mon 4/19 – Fr 4/23: Work on essay, conference with me.
Fahrenheit 451 Essay: Rubric
Name:
You must complete and hand this in with your paper at the beginning of class on Monday, February 23 rd
Ideas/Content: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“Writing is clear and focused. Reader can easily understand the main ideas. Support is present, although it
may be limited or rather general.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
No
paper
1
9 - 10
2
11 - 12
3
13 – 14 15
4
16 - 17
18 - 19
5
6
Organization: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“Organization is clear and coherent. Order and structure are present, but may seem formulaic.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
No
paper
1
9 - 10
2
11 - 12
3
13 – 14 15
4
16 - 17
18 - 19
5
6
Voice: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“A voice is present. The writer demonstrates commitment to the topic, and there may be a sense of ‘writing
to be read.’ In places, the writing is expressive, engaging, or sincere.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
No
paper
1
9 - 10
2
11 - 12
3
13 – 14 15
4
16 - 17
18 - 19
5
6
Word Choice: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“Words effectively convey the intended message. The writer employs a variety of words that are functional
and appropriate to audience and purpose.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
No
paper
1
2
9 - 10
11 - 12
3
13 – 14 15
4
16 - 17
18 - 19
5
6
Sentence Fluency: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“Writing flows; however, connections between phrases or sentences may be les than fluid. Sentence
patterns are somewhat varied, contributing to ease in oral reading.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9 - 10
11 - 12
13 – 14 - 16 - 17
18 - 19
15
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
paper
Conventions: Writing at passing level (4) on CIM scale:
“Writing demonstrates control of standard writing conventions (e.g., punctuation, spelling, capitalization,
grammar and usage). Minor errors, while perhaps noticeable, do not impede readability.”
How well do you think you met this requirement?
0
1-2
3-4
5-6
7-8
No
paper
1
2
9 - 10
11 - 12
3
13 – 14 15
4
16 - 17
18 - 19
5
6
MLA Standards:
 MLA Formatting:
a. 12-point font, 1.5 or double spaced
b. Paragraphs indented, spaced properly
c. Proper heading
d. Give your paper a relevant, interesting title
e. Book Title italicized OR underlined, use last name when referring to author after first mention
f. Quotation(s) properly formatted
TEACHER USE ONLY:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Your Grade
TEACHER USE ONLY:
Ideas /
content
(15)
Organization
(15)
Voice
(15)
Word
Choice
(15)
Late Penalty
TEACHER USE ONLY:
5 minutes late (don’t show up without this
sheet filled out and ready to go; don’t show up
expecting to print your paper on my
computer; don’t be late the day it is due)
1 day late
Sentence
Fluency
(15)
Conventions
(15)
multiply your grade by 95%
multiply your grade by 90%
2 days late
multiply your grade by 85%
3 days late
multiply your grade by 80%
4+ days late
multiply your grade by 75%
1+ months late
multiply your grade by 70%
MLA
Standards
(10)
Total
(100)