{Persuasion

Lesson 11: Introduction to the Research Project

What is the meaning of the term censorship?

The suppression by authorities of information, communications, or media that are considered offensive or dangerous.

What examples of censorship have you heard about or experienced?

How might censorship affect libraries in schools and communities?

11.1 Learn About the Research Project

Turn to SA 11A. List answers to three questions on your paper.

What do we know? What do we need to know? How can we find out?

Draft a statement of the issue to be researched in your own words. Record this statement in the space provided at the bottom of page 11A.

Share your statements with your partner; revise your statements as necessary.

11.1 The Research Project

Censorship is an issue. What is your sense of the meaning of the word

issue? An issue is a real-world problem or controversy

that people are discussing or should be discussing.

Turn to SA 11B. What is the difference between a topic and an

issue? Ex: Penguins= topic Ex: What should be done to reverse the

destruction of habitat that now endangers the survival of penguins as a species? = issue

11.2 Define the Characteristics of an Issue

Consider how censorship of library books exhibits each characteristic of an issue.

Complete SA 11B independently. We will discuss your responses when

everyone has had a chance to finish this page.

11.2 Define the Characteristics of an Issue

Turn to SA 11C. Turn to pg. 95 and read “Libraries

Should Reflect Majority Values” by Phyllis Schlafly.

Use SA 11C to take notes as you read.

11.3 Consider Two Points of View on Censorship

Turn to pg. 97 and read “Libraries Should Reflect Diverse Views by the American Library Association.

Use SA 11D to take notes as you read this article.

11.3 Consider Two Points of View on Censorship

{ {Reflect Majority Values

Reflect Diverse Views

Compare/Contrast Viewpoints

Are enough reasons given to make the argument convincing?

Is the supporting evidence factual and correct? Are the reasons clear? Are they explained thoroughly, or

is more information needed? Are the reasons and evidence specific, or are they

general and vague? Are the reasons strong and important, or do they seem

to be included just so that the author has something to say?

Is the argument logical? Do the sentences seem to go together, and does their sequence make sense? Or does the paragraph sound like a set of disconnect statements?

Evaluate Articles Using Standards of Reasoning

Turn to SA 11D. You will be divided into groups of three

students. Work together to summarize the issue,

identify stakeholders, and describe the stakeholders’ positions.

Write down your own position on the issue and discuss it with your group.

11.4 Begin the Research Project

In your role as editor of a city newspaper, you will need to take and support a personal point of view on the issue, not simply summarize known facts in a report or other product.

Write a persuasive paragraph explaining and defending your initial position on the issue.

Exchange your papers with a partner. Use the Hamburger Model and the

Standards of Reasoning to critique your partner’s work.

11.4 Begin the Research Project

The essays by Phyllis Schlafly and the American Library Association represent only a sample of the many books, articles, and other sources that are available on the subject of censorship.

In your research, you may also have to use primary resources, such as interviews or polls.

Turn to SA 11F.

11.4 Begin the Research Project

Your ultimate assignment is to develop a persuasive editorial and speech, explaining and defending your p.o.v. on the issue.

A draft of the essay is due by Lesson 20.. The final essay and speech are due by

Lesson 22.

11.4 Begin the Research Project

Continue to work on your research project. Look for resources that provide information about censorship, particularly in school libraries.

Complete the draft of your persuasive letter expressing your opinion about a concerning issue (from lesson 9). You will revise this letter in lesson 12.

Continue reading your third novel and working on the questions from 1B or 1C.

Continue collecting advertisements for lesson 19.

Homework