1. This article is a credible source for my research because it discusses intellectual freedom and especially the change over time. The author’s credentials include her job as a librarian and teacher, working hands on with students and experiencing the the “lack of intellectual freedom”, as she expresses. Date-wise this publication is important to include because it is more recent and up to date (2011). The author’s main goal in this article is to inform readers about intellectual freedom. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: students and parents. This audience would be interested in this subject because if affects these types of people and also informs them about what may come in the future when it comes to restriction of intellectual thoughts and this audience would generally agree and disagree with the author’s perspective because on the topic . The author incorporates the following types of evidence: she recognizes the fact that the world is changing and how technology is taking over a lot of useful sources found in a library and how topics and certain terms become more and more controversial. This evidence builds credibility because she has first hand experience with this type of change but is also limited to her own opinion and experience - not much extra research done by her to support her thoughts. Based on my own opinion, experiences and research, I agree for the most part with the author because I think that even though the world is changing and information is become more accessible, there is more protection over some topics and controversial issues. I think this article is important to include because I haven’t yet found a source that expands on the effect that the changing world has on intellectual freedom and censorship.
2. This article is a credible source for my research because the author, Barbara Jones, gives her opinion, as someone who works around students and books, on the academic aspects of intellectual freedom; she expresses what is difficult about it, what she thinks is right and what she thinks is wrong. The author’s credentials include head of special collections at the University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign. Date-wise this publication is important to include because it gives some opinions and viewpoints from 15 years ago (1999) that can be compared to those today. The author’s main goal is to inform and teach readers about the lack of intellectual freedom students are allowed to produce and digest (reading library books, for example). The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: students, parents and education-provides. This audience would be interested in this subject because censorship of educational materials and policies on intellectual freedom all affect students, education-providers and even parents and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The author incorporates the following types of evidence: personal experience and observations as well as some research on the topics and the fact that some censorship in education is to avoid obvious controversy. This evidence builds credibility because it shows that her personal experience also lines up with her research, but is also limited because it is her personal opinion and in a way, the reader has to trust that she is being honest. Based on my own opinion, experiences and research, I agree and disagree with this author because not all of what she says I agree with - she stretches some things a little too far for me to see eye to eye on. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it is coming from someone who works in a career that deals with censorship.
3. This article is a credible source for my research because it gives a lot of plain information and state standards and exercises that students did in order to expand intellectual freedom. The authors’ credentials include an education librarian and education professor. Date-wise the publication is important because it is extremely recent and relevant/accurate to the present (2013). The author’s main goal is to inform about how intellectual freedom is taught and what policies regarding it say. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: students and parents. This audience would be interested in this subject because, once again, this topic affects them and it is important to know what is allowed and what’s not and would generally agree with the authors’ perspective. The authors incorporate the following types of evidence: state standards, intellectual exercises and challenges for students and requirements for students in the class that the authors teach. This evidence builds credibility because they have to follow the standards and policies and even gain opinions through their research in the exercises their students complete, but is also limited because their knowledge of this topic is limited to college students. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with these authors because they have a lot of their own experience in the field and they know the regulations they have to follow. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it gives the opinion of two educated people that are also backed up by their research.
4. This article is a credible source for my research because it simply defines censorship and its effect on schools and even talks about the first amendment. Date-wise the publication is important because it gives some background on the issue (1990-2000). The author’s main goal is to inform and persuade the reader that schools censor religion and that it is an issue. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: students, parents, education-providers and even religious-educators. This audience would be interested in this subject because it is an issue that plagues schools across the U.S. and would generally agree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The authors incorporate the following types of evidence: references from the Constitution and information on the topic including statistics. This evidence builds credibility because it has completely accurate information from the Constitution and statistics but is also limited because they do not present a reason as to why religion tends to be censored in schools. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with these authors because from previous classes, I know what the Constitution says and some other laws. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it provides solid information to help me make my argument.
5. This article is a credible source for my research because it provides a stronger religious perspective than the other four sources. Date-wise the publication is important because it gives information from recent times but also provides some background. The author’s main goal is to inform about religious censorship in schools. The publishing source for this article generally targets an audience that fits the following description: the public (Americans) and religious-educators. This audience would be interested in this subject because it is a controversial issue across the U.S. and would agree or disagree with this author’s perspective on the topic. The authors incorporate the following types of evidence: acts and laws passed and certain cases of abuse of power in schools. This evidence builds credibility because it has accurate information including acts and laws but is also limited because it only presents one side. Based on my own opinion, experiences, and research, I agree with these authors because as a student of public school, I feel pressured to keep my religion and beliefs to myself. I think this article is important to include in my essay because it provides different, credible examples of how religion is limited in schools.
After reading through your bibliography, I get the sense that you're still searching for how to narrow and focus your topic. One of your entries even pointed out that censorship affects almost every level of education. Do you plan to limit your essay to a particular grade level affected by censorship? Or perhaps you're thinking about framing it according to a specific type of censorship (what books are allowed vs. the right to personal expression)? Or maybe you're thinking of a different option altogether? I'm looking forward to seeing how you focus your final essay.
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