What is Censorship?

Objectives: 1) Students will research the pros and cons of censorship as it relates to book banning. 2) Students will then identify ten banned books (from American, British, and international authors) and the reason each book was banned. 3) Students will write a persuasive letter to the school board based on their research to defend why a specific banned book of their choice should be read in schools.

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Standards

California State Standards-9/10th Grade
Reading Comprehension
2.2 Prepare a bibliography of reference materials for a report using a variety of consumer, workplace, and public documents
2.4 Synthesize the content from several sources or works by a single author dealing with a
single issue; paraphrase the ideas and connect them to other sources and related topics to
demonstrate comprehension
2.8 Evaluate the credibility of an author�s argument or defense of a claim by critiquing the relationship between generalizations and evidence, the comprehensiveness of evidence, and the way in which the author�s intent affects the structure and tone of the text (e.g., in professional journals, editorials, political speeches, primary source material).

Writing Strategies
1.1 Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing.
1.2 Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice
1.4 Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence (e.g., scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, definitions)
1.9 Revise writing to improve the logic and coherence of the organization and controlling perspective, the precision of word choice, and the tone by taking into consideration the audience, purpose, and formality of the context

Writing Applications
2.4 Write persuasive compositions:
a. Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion.
b. Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through
reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).
c. Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning.
d. Address readers� concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

2.5 Write business letters:
a. Provide clear and purposeful information and address the intended audience appro�priately.
b. Use appropriate vocabulary, tone, and style to take into account the nature of the relationship with, and the knowledge and interests of, the recipients.
c. Highlight central ideas or images.
d. Follow a conventional style with page formats, fonts, and spacing that contribute to
the documents� readability and impact