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MEMO
TO: Joe Griffin
FROM: Kaitlin Cox
DATE: 20 May 2020
SUBJECT: Teaching Sensitive Literature: How should this be addressed?

PURPOSE
Through my research, I will expand on the dilemma that teachers face when it comes to reading
literature on controversial topics. I will provide reasoning that it is necessary that students be
exposed to and interact with controversial topics. I will approach it in a way that allows the
audience to understand why it is crucial that students are exposed to controversial literature.
Students should be exposed to controversial literature so that they can have a well-rounded
understanding of the issues occurring in the world. They should also be exposed to controversial
sources so that they know which sources are reliable and credible. I plan on researching how
students are affected after being exposed to controversial literature. I am curious to see how it
makes them feel and if they have any desire to change after reading the literature. I believe that
as students become more familiar with controversial topics, then they will have a more complex
understanding of the world. They will be able to see both or multiple sides of a controversial
issue and know how to react to it. I believe that students will learn how to be independent and
sound thinkers. My research will focus on:

• Does exposing students to controversial literature have a negative impact on the

relationship between the student and teacher? If so, what are some of the consequences
(Soley)?
• How does the introduction and exposure to controversial literature allow students to grow
(Chang; Lavergene; Pinkerton; Ripp: Silveri)?
• How can teachers work together and with students to create a safe environment to discuss
controversial literature (Anderson)?
• How does the introduction of controversial literature allow a student’s skills to grow
(Cole)?

BACKGROUND
When I was in middle school and high school, I read a wide variety of literature. Some of the
books that I read were eye opening. I remember the first time that I read To Kill A Mockingbird
and I was in shock afterwards. I did not realize that African Americans were treated poorly. I had
little knowledge about the world and the history of the United States. I think that it is important
for students to read controversial literature so that they have a greater understanding of the
world. They can understand what is okay and what is not okay in this world. When I was in high
school, I remember not being allowed to read certain types of literature because the teachers and
administration feared the consequences of what would happen. However, I think that there is a
way that you can approach a controversial piece of literature and avoid the negative
consequences that could come with it. I strongly believe that students should be allowed to
commonly read controversial literature so that they can grow as individuals and have a greater
understanding of the world around them.
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SIGNIFICANCE
The topic of incorporating controversial literature is a heavily debated and discussed issue in
school districts. Educators are trying to come up with ways to integrate controversial literature in
their lesson plans without causing offense, disrespect, or damage to the students. The research
being done in preparation for this paper is highly important. It will not only affect the English
classrooms, but schools as a whole. As students read more controversial literature, they will
become more knowledgeable and aware of what is going on in the world. Teachers are educating
the future generations and it is key that they are informed on these issues. After this paper is
completed, I plan to share it with my professor and my old teachers from back home.

DESCRIPTION
I will conduct secondary research to complete this project. I plan to find reliable and
credible sources online. These sources include peer reviewed journals, editorials, and
different books published on this topic. BYU-I also has an online archive that is a part of
the McKay library that I plan to utilize.

OUTLINE
Introduction
•Personal anecdote about my middle school English class.
•Introduction of the topic and the key points that will be made throughout the essay.

My Position
•State the thesis. Introduce and expand on each point.
•Explain the relationship between the teacher and student with controversial
literature. Explain how addressing and incorporating the topic will allow students to
grow and will positively impact the community.

Opposing View
•Teachers should not be allowing students to read controversial literature in class
because of the negative consequences that it could cause.
•They could react poorly to reading it, become angry, and or choose to do dangerous
about the situation.
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Response
•It is true that students could choose to act out after reading
controversial material. However, it is all about how the information and
readings are introduced. If they are introduced properly, then
educators can have better control of their reactions and eliminate or
lessen them.
•When educators present material, they can explain the purpose and
explain to the students why they are having them read that material.

Conclusion
•State main points again. Explain the importance of this issue and why it
needs to be addressed.
•Restate the hook in a different way and restate the thesis in new
words.

METHODOLOGY
I will use the Internet to find sources with the URL of .org, .gov, and .edu. These sources are
considered credible because they are normally put up by the government, a research
organization, or a college. I will also utilize the David O McKay library sources such as EBSCO.
To ensure that I gather the most information from my sources, I will take notes on each of my
sources. I will annotate and reread the articles until I fully comprehend them. I feel that it is
necessary that I have reliable information and understand the information that I choose to write
my essay about.

PROBLEMS
One of the main problems that I may encounter is time management. I am working close to full
time and currently taking 14 credits. I have to be driven and diligent in ensuring that I complete
all of my work before the due date. Another problem that I could encounter is if my computer or
Canvas decides to stop working. My computer will randomly black out and not turn on for a little
bit. Canvas has also been crashing a decent amount. With technological difficulties, I plan to
work ahead so that if Canvas does crash, it will not disrupt my essay or research. One last
problem that I could potentially face are the websites that I choose to use being taken down.
Previously, I have been writing essays and I go back to the source to gather more information
and the source is gone. To solve this problem, I plan to download PDF versions of the sources so
that if they get deleted I will still have a copy.
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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Jill. "Bringing Controversial Books into the Classroom." Harvard Graduate School of
Education. 9 Jan. 2019. Web. 20 May 2021. This website is a guide for how teachers can
introduce and teach controversial literature in their classrooms. Anderson goes over how
teachers can create a safe learning environment to go over these topics.

Chang, Benjamin, Anna Lavergne, Kim Pinkerton, Permille Ripp, and Gabe Silveri. "The
Students' Right to Read." NCTE. 25 Oct. 2018. Web. 20 May 2021. This source
specifically focuses on the right that students and teachers are given. It provides detailed
examples of certain books that are banned and then explains why they are banned and then
refutes them.

Cole, Robert W. "Chapter 1. Educating Everybody's Children: We Know What Works-And

What Doesn't." Educating Everybody's Children: We Know What Works-And What
Doesn't. June 2008. Web. 20 May 2021. In Robert Cole’s book he expands on what works
when it comes to teaching children and what does not work. This information is beneficial
to this paper because it illustrates the point that if material is taught in a correct way, it
will not result in negative consequences.

Medwin, Deborah. "30 Most Controversial Education Practices in U. S. History." Top Education
Degrees. Web. 20 May 2021. This website provides several examples of controversial
topics. I plan to use this source to include examples of controversial literature that could
possibly be discussed in school. I also plan to elaborate on why these topics should be read
and discussed in school.

Page, Judith. "COMMENTARY: The Benefits of Bringing Controversial Issues into the
Classroom." EdSource. EdSource, 23 Aug. 2017. Web. 20 May 2021. Judith Page reviews
the benefits of exposing students to controversial literature. She focuses in on the students
individual lives and all of the things that they are facing daily. Page emphasizes the point
that as students read controversial literature, they will be more prepared to face the real
trials of life.

Philpott, Sarah, Jeremiah Clabough, Lance McConkey, and Thomas N. Turner. "Controversial
Issues: To Teach or Not to Teach? That Is the Question!" 2011. Web. 20 May 2021. The
academic journal focuses in on the dangers of controversy if it is not expressed in an
appropriate way. The journal specifically delves into four ways that teachers can choose to
address controversy and controversial literature.

ProCon.org. "Teaching Controversial Issues and Critical Thinking: Evidence of Importance and
Outcomes." ProCon.org. 25 June 2020. Web. 20 May 2021. This source from Britannica
narrows in on the importance and outcomes of reading controversial literature. This will
be helpful as I write my paper because I can elaborate on those outcomes and use them to
support the point that I am stating.

Soley, Mary. "If It's Controversial,Why Teach It?" If It's Controversial, Why Teach It? 1996.
Web. 20 May 2021. The excerpt from the volume emphasizes the past and present by
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incorporating history and how that is currently affecting the present and how it will affect
the future. Soley stresses the idea that people must learn from the past and be aware of the
happenings in the world so that they can go forward and not make those same mistakes.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

The topic of controversial literature is of high signifcance to me as a future English educator.
This topic is not only of high value to me, but to others as well. It is crucial that the future
generation and students know how to interact, interpret, and analyze controversial literature. Due
to the significance of this topic, I respectfully request approval for this project.