Censorship

A webquest for 9th grade Language Arts

“You Have Not Converted a Man Because You Have Silenced Him” -John Morley

 

 

Introduction – Task – Process – Evaluation - Conclusion

 

Introduction

Have you ever felt like everything you listen to, watch, and read is censored in some way? How does that make you feel? Censorship – book burning in particular - has been happening in our society for centuries. Why does it happen? What does it mean? Why should it be important to you? Let's go on a search to find out, and expose the truth about it!

Task

You have just been hired by NBC to produce a documentary on the history of censorship! In light of our recent reading of Fahrenheit 451, you must include any historical events about book burning in particular. You will work with two other students to complete this documentary. Your documentary must include a written essay for publication that argues your group’s position about book burning. To accomplish this work you will need to:

·     Collect information regarding book burning through history.

·     Compile your information on organizers and discuss your findings with your group members.

·     Compose a persuasive essay to support your position, either opposing or defending the burning of books.

Process

Preparation:

·     Before you begin the work on this project, you should be finished with the book Fahrenheit 451

·     Join a group of three people. Each of you should take responsibility for researching a particular time period: The Distant Past, The 20th Century, and The Future. You will meet after you conduct your research to compare notes and reach consensus about why book burning takes place, and the freedoms and rights of individuals that it violates.

·     Before you begin your research, you need to get organized. Make sure to address the following points in your research:

§    Causes that led to book burning

§    Factors fighting against book burning

§     

·     The notes you collect will help you write your persuasive essay which will become the basis for your group’s documentary

 

Collect Information:

Following are some sources you may use to investigate the history of book burning:

Explore those resources, and record information about book burning throughout history, using the research questions noted above to help guide your search.

Find the Common Threads!

  1. Meet with the other members of your group and determine what you have all found to be similar concepts and actions regarding the book burning sites you researched.
  2. Make sure you identify the common causes and philosophies you encountered, as well.
  3. When you finish, you will find there are common threads which run through all of the instances of book burning you have researched. These common threads will become focal points for the essay which will become your documentary.

The essay you write will be persuasive: it will make an argument for one side of an issue of book burning.

  1. The first question you need to ask yourself is, "Why should, or should not, book burning be permitted to occur?" This will become the basis for your thesis statement for your essay.
  2. Next, ask yourself, "Why do I think this?" You will need at least 3 reasons to support your thinking.
  3. Once your notes about these questions are complete, you are ready to start your draft.

Write the essay…

  1. Review the rubric for this assignment and make sure you are meeting the requirements of this assignment.
  2. A good essay will use effective vocabulary to convince the reader that the arguments are valid and reasonable. Reread your essay and make sure your vocabulary is eye-catching.
  3. Edit your essay by exchanging your paper with another group and ask them to correct any errors in content or mechanics. Use the editing checklist to record the editing process, and attach it to your group’s rough draft before you begin the final draft.
  4. Complete your final draft. Verify that you have met all of the necessary criteria on the evaluation rubric before you turn it in to be graded.
  5. Keep your writing from the censors and the book burners.

Present Your Documentary…

Your group will present its essay to the rest of the class. Extra points for use of visuals, graphics, sound, video etc…

 

Evaluation

An ‘A’ project must have all of the following:

  • Research:
    • Follows specified format and uses sources provided above
    • Clearly shows a ‘common thread’ between historical events
  • Essay
    • Free from grammatical errors
    • Thesis statement ties together common threads found in research
    • Supporting arguments are clear and convincing
    • Cites textual references to Fahrenheit 451
  • Documentary Presentation
    • Convincingly delivered with gusto
    • Incorporates visual aides
    • Presents an accurate account of the history of book burning
    • Concludes with your group’s personal opinions about the subject

Conclusion

Book burning is not just found in science fiction. It is a form of censorship that has occurred throughout history and continues even today. Don’t just get angry about it – learn about it! Fight ignorance with knowledge.

Knowledge is Power!