Google Doc of the assignment.

Note Taking Sheet.  Click on File and Make a Copy to use.

Research Paper: Banned Books, Censorship, and Literary Merit:

Pro Con Article on Banning Books: https://www.procon.org/headline.php?headlineID=005365

Examine book reviews, scholarly journals, newspaper articles, college websites

• When, why, and by whom was the book banned. Start by going to the American Library Association site: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics and type CTRL-F and your title. (Newer titles will require a Google search or may be on this list: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10).
• What attempts were made to defend it? (Google search words like challenged, banned, removed.)
• Evaluate arguments for and against the work.
• Investigate sources of praise (and criticism) of the literature in question. What have critics said in favor of it? What have the critics said against it?

  (montytech1 is the password outside of school)

You may also find excellent websites. Newspapers will have details on the stories behind banning the book in certain cities/towns.

Also, there are online magazines and blogs written by college professors that may be useful.

To get only college sites, type site:.edu after the book title.

Your OWN thoughts while and after reading:

• Evaluate the work’s merits and examine the work in terms of appropriateness for readers.
• What is the value of reading this controversial piece of literature?
• What is the reading level? (Search the book title and the word Lexile).
• What objections (if any) do you have to the book?
• Is there anything that others would find objectionable? Explain.

Other guiding questions for thought:

• Is banning a book ever the right choice?
• How does one determine that a book’s value outweighs the potentially negative influences?
• What makes good literature?
• What are the implications of censorship for society and the individual?

​Formulate an informed opinion as to whether the work should be banned or whether it has value for young readers—and WHY. This should comprise your thesis and be the driving force of your essay. You will write four to six pages, plus a Works Cited page and will adhere to the correct MLA format and be error-free. Use at least four critical sources. Be sure to include the novel itself as an additional source.