Banned Books Week VocabularyEnhanced

Language Arts

access

• Noun

• The right to make use of or take advantage of something.

• Example: Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information.

ban

• Verb

• To forbid the public distribution of something.

• Example: Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

bowdlerize

• Verb

• To edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate or inappropriate, with the result that it becomes weaker or less effective.

• Example: Mr. Wilson said he was horrified by Russell’s bowdlerized movie, which added fantasy sequences and new plotlines.

censorship

• Noun

• The act of deleting parts of publications or theatrical performances.

• Banned Books Week draws attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bans of books across the United States.

challenge

• Noun

• An objection or question about something’s validity.

• Example: Individuals challenge books they object to by questioning their right to be on library shelves.

excise

• Verb

• To remove by cutting.

• Example: In 2002, the Administration of George W. Bush excised those pages from the report of the Joint Congressional Inquiry into the 9/11 attacks.

expunge

• Verb

• To remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line; to remove without a trace.

• Example: He can apply to have his arrest expunged once the program, which usually runs for a year, is completed. 

expurgate

• Verb

• To edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate or inappropriate; to remove material thought morally offensive.

• Example: But even with our expurgated radio broadcast, we had learned what the authorities did not want us to know.

restrict

• Verb

• To limit access to something.

• Example: Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned.

unorthodox

• Adjective

• Breaking with tradition or convention.

• Example: Many people believe that books should be available, even if the information and ideas within them might be considered unorthodox or unpopular.