Process

Each option requires research about the history surrounding the novel, reading excerpts (or the entirety) of the novel can certainly help form an argument but is not necessary for this assignment. The focus of the argument can be directly tied to the text but can also be a more broad, moral and ethical argument regarding issues of free speech, publishing, the meaning of obscenity, where does morality fit in the free speech debate, etc.

The school board discussion should be around 20 minutes long. The persuasive article should be at least 2 pages, but longer would be fine as well.

First research the history of schools banning the book. Research federal, state and local laws which you may find relevant in defense of banning the book or not. Reflect on your own relevant life experiences and beliefs in regards to the issues brought up in your research.

Identifying "reputable" and "reliable" sources. A good strategy for identifying reputable and reliable resources is being doing some research on the organization which is publishing the information. Does the organization have a history of supporting certain causes, issues, or agendas?  Does the organization have a history of producing high quality objective information?  Often corporations or individuals who have a vested interest in seeing particular results regarding issues will hire or create media organizations to promote their particular point of view, so beware always of the source of your information.

Another approach to discern objective resources is to ask, "Who stands to benefit?" from the information or point of view being presented.If a source is repeatedly derogatory towards a perspective, issue, or individual, it may stand to reason that the creator of that information stands to gain from their downfall. Checking multiple sources to corroborate information is a good strategy as well.  If you find the same or similar information presented by several sources, from several perspectives, then there is a higher likelihood of that information being accurate.

For school board meetings, plan your meeting, assign roles, script talking points and discourse. Then record the meeting either with an audio or audio and video platform. Post the audio or video to the class website and submit a copy of the outlining and scripting material to the instructor.

For the persuasive article, choose a position on the controversy, select two significant quotes which help make your argument and create a 2 page journalistic article. Format the article stylistically as it would be on a reputable news site, and upload it to the class website.

Focus on the factual issues and history of the novel and the controversy surrounding it, however, in presenting your arguement, especially if you choose to relate personal experiences, make use of analagous situations, metaphorical ideas, or personal anecdotes to illustrate it. That's to say, if you can think of  a situation in your life or in the media that you have prior knowledge of, which relates to the issues here, please use that example but be sure to relate it back to the topic at hand.

Resources will be supplied but you are not limited to only those. Drawing from a variety of sources such as journalistic articles explaining the situation, legal documents, the text itself and moralistic opinion pieces is recommended in order to synthesize a well rounded and thorough argument.

Here are some links which may be useful: 

Holden's Hold on the Censors


Cherished and Cursed: Toward a Social History of The Catcher in the Rye


Intellectual Freedom


Banned Books: A Study of Censorship


Intellectual Freedom Article 2


The Constitution of The United States