English II Banned Book Research Paper
Write a research paper that provides a history of banned books in America and discuss your chosen novel and include the history of why it has been banned. In addition, your thoughts and opinions on the banning of books will also be required.
Read portions of your banned novel and continue to research the author and controversy surrounding the censorship of your novel. Please keep a reading log including important quotes or content and page numbers. Use DIRECT quotes (word for word exactly). Use quotation marks and punctuation where appropriate and be SURE to include the page number of your quotes.
Your paper must be written in MLA format:
It is important as you research to have a guide. There are several key questions to answer in your banned book research paper. Depending on your particular book and the research that is out there, some of the questions will apply to you more than others.
Part 1: Introduction
THIS LIST OF QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT IN HELPING YOU RESEARCH AND SETTING UP THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER.
Read portions of your banned novel and continue to research the author and controversy surrounding the censorship of your novel. Please keep a reading log including important quotes or content and page numbers. Use DIRECT quotes (word for word exactly). Use quotation marks and punctuation where appropriate and be SURE to include the page number of your quotes.
Your paper must be written in MLA format:
- Approximately 3-4 pages typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font
- Works Cited Page
- Double-spaced
- 1-inch margins
- 5 sources (the banned book can be one of the sources)
- All research must be documented and cited in text (cited properly)
It is important as you research to have a guide. There are several key questions to answer in your banned book research paper. Depending on your particular book and the research that is out there, some of the questions will apply to you more than others.
Part 1: Introduction
- What is the difference between a banned book and a challenged book?
- What causes a book to be banned or challenged?
- What is the title of your book and who is the author? Give a brief preview of why is was banned or challenged?
- Thesis/Claim: (Do you agree or disagree that the novel should be banned or challenged?)
- The history of banning books
- The First Amendment:
- What does the First Amendment protect?
- How is the First Amendment connected to censorship and book banning?
- What aspects of the novel would make someone ban the book?
- Find at least two scenes in your novel that would cause the novel to be banned/challenged.
- (Keep in mind the following: Characters’ attitudes, his behavior(s), the language of the novel, characters’ take(s) on religion, attitude(s) toward authority)
- Discuss each scene in depth, using description and quotations.
- Did the author have reasons for writing a controversial book? Check out what their life was like and what happened to or around them that would bring out the controversy.
- Has the author written other controversial books? How does the author respond to the controversy around their books? This may be difficult if the author didn’t know; it may be helpful to find author interviews.
- Discuss why in detail referencing the above three scenes from your novel
- Should your novel be required reading in high school? Why or why not?
- Write a personal statement discussing your view of banning books.
THIS LIST OF QUESTIONS IS IMPORTANT IN HELPING YOU RESEARCH AND SETTING UP THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER.
Research Steps
- For your paper, you must have at least five sources.
- You must research using print, online, and database sources.
- You must document ALL research on the required worksheets.
- When your research is documented, you must complete a Works Cited page.
- For each source, you must take notes. Do not merely copy, but put your own thoughts down as well.
- Write an outline for your paper.
Resources
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- I suggest Gale Power Search or Opposing Viewpoints
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- username: SD117
- password: LIBRARY