Censorship: Protecting or Limiting?
Write a discursive essay exploring the concept of censorship in media, such as films, video games, or books.
In your writing, you must:
- Discuss the arguments in favour of censorship, focusing on how it protects individuals and society.
- Discuss the arguments against censorship, focusing on how it limits freedom of expression and personal choice.
- Conclude by sharing your own balanced viewpoint on whether censorship does more to protect or limit us.
Ensure your essay presents a reasoned, balanced discussion before reaching your final conclusion.
💡 Writing Tips
- •
What is Censorship? Think of it like grown-ups deciding if a movie, game, or book is suitable for different ages. It's about what we are allowed to see or read.
- •
Two Sides of the Coin: Imagine you're holding a coin. One side is 'protecting' (keeping people safe), and the other side is 'limiting' (stopping people from seeing everything). Make sure to talk about both sides.
- •
Give Examples: Can you think of any games with age ratings (like PEGI 7 or 12)? Or movies with a U, PG, or 12A rating? These are types of censorship. How do they help or hinder you?
- •
Use Linking Words: Words like 'however', 'on the other hand', 'some people believe', and 'others argue' will help you show both viewpoints clearly.
- •
Your Opinion (Carefully!): After discussing both sides, you can share what you think, but make sure you've shown you understand both arguments first.
📝 Sample Answer
Censorship is when certain things, like parts of a film, a book, or even a website, are hidden or changed because grown-ups think they are not suitable for everyone, especially children. It's a tricky topic because there are good reasons for it and also reasons why some people don't like it.
On one hand, censorship can be very helpful for protecting children. For example, age ratings on video games and movies stop younger children from seeing things that might be too frightening or violent for them. This means parents can feel safer knowing their children aren't accidentally exposed to bad language or scary images. It also helps maintain certain standards in what we see and hear, making sure that TV shows, for instance, are generally appropriate for family viewing.
However, some people believe that censorship limits our freedom. If something is hidden or changed, we might not get the full story or be able to make up our own minds. It could stop us from learning about different ideas or understanding the world as it truly is. For older children, it might feel like grown-ups are deciding too much for them and not trusting them to think for themselves or discuss difficult topics.
In conclusion, censorship tries to keep us safe, which is important. But it also means we might not see everything. Finding the right balance between protecting people and allowing them to explore and learn is a really difficult challenge.
Did You Know?
You can use the atoply app to practise this prompt and get instant feedback to help improve your writing skills.
Practice This Prompt