1. The document provides context and questions for students to analyze and discuss issues around freedom of speech based on three sources. It includes vocabulary matching, identifying key ideas and opinions, and discussion questions. 2. Students are asked to take notes on two sources, match vocabulary to definitions, match paragraphs to main ideas, and identify the opinion expressed in a quote from the first source. 3. The document closes with discussion questions about banning books, freedom of speech for controversial figures from history, and whether freedom of speech is a right.

1. Objectives: Progress indicators
Starter (3 min without booklets)
1. Split your whiteboard into 2 halves.
2. On one half write down notes on everything
you can remember about source 1.
3. On the other half write down notes on
everything you can remember about source 2.
•understand the key
points and language in
source 3
•develop arguments
on freedom of speech
• A*-A: B: C:

2. Source 3 – Key vocab match up
1. Freedom of
speech/expression
2. Holocaust
3. unexpurgated
4. blasphemy
5. dogma
6. famine
a) widespread shortage of
food
b) uncensored, complete
without changes
c) the murder of approx. 6
million Jews during WWII
d) being able to give your
opinion no matter what
e) the concept that some
things cannot be said
f) principles laid down by an
authority as absolute truth

3. Source 3 – Key vocab match up
1. Freedom of
speech/expression
2. Holocaust
3. unexpurgated
4. blasphemy
5. dogma
6. famine
a) widespread shortage of
food
b) uncensored, complete
without changes
c) the murder of approx. 6
million Jews during WWII
d) being able to give your
opinion no matter what
e) the concept that some
things cannot be said
f) principles laid down by an
authority as absolute truth
1d, 2c, 3b, 4e, 5f, 6a

4. Match each of the main ideas below to
the appropriate paragraph of source 3
a) Author’s opinion of freedom of speech
b) Disasters caused by lack of freedom of
speech
c) Controversial examples of the author’s work
d) A banned book
e) People who were denied freedom of speech

5. Match each of the main ideas below to
the appropriate paragraph of source 3
a) Author’s opinion of freedom of speech
b) Disasters caused by lack of freedom of
speech
c) Controversial examples of the author’s work
d) A banned book
e) People who were denied freedom of speech
paragraph 1a, 2c, 3d, 4e, 5b

6. “The right of others to free expression is part of
my own. If someone’s voice is silenced, then I
am deprived of the right to hear.”
This quote comes from the first paragraph of source 3.
Which of the following do you think sums up the opinion of
Christopher Hitchens (the author)?:
a) I have the right to free speech, but not everyone should.
b) I don’t want to hear what everyone else has to say.
c) We are all free to express ourselves and in turn we
benefit from hearing what others have to say.
d) Freedom of speech depends on what you want to say.

7. “The right of others to free expression is part of
my own. If someone’s voice is silenced, then I
am deprived of the right to hear.”
This quote comes from the first paragraph of source 3.
Which of the following do you think sums up the opinion of
Christopher Hitchens (the author)?:
a) I have the right to free speech, but not everyone should.
b) I don’t want to hear what everyone else has to say.
c) We are all free to express ourselves and in turn we
benefit from hearing what others have to say.
d) Freedom of speech depends on what you want to say.

8. Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
• Mein Kampf was written by Adolf Hitler. In it he
describes his beliefs in detail.
• Do you think the book should be banned (like it is
in some countries) or do you think anyone should
be allowed to read it? Please give reasons for
your answer.

9. Mein Kampf (My Struggle)
• Read paragraph 3 of source 3 again.
• Does Christopher Hitchens think Mein Kampf
should be banned? Why?

10. Paragraph 4 - Discussion
• Who were Socrates, Galileo and Charles
Darwin?
• Why were they not allowed freedom of
speech?

11. Plenary
• What is freedom of speech and do you think
we all have the right to it?