Intellectual Freedom Challenge

This award is now being offered in the Winter Award Cycle.

NEHS proudly presents the Intellectual Freedom Challenge (IFC), in collaboration with Sigma Tau Delta, inviting students to examine the world of censored literature. This challenge encourages participants to craft compelling argumentative essays on texts that have faced challenges or bans.

Books provoke discussion and dissent for various reasons—ideas that challenge norms, language that sparks controversy, or scenes that provoke discomfort. Yet, these debates highlight the importance of intellectual freedom in education, particularly within English classes. The IFC champions this fundamental principle, emphasizing the role of literature in fostering critical thinking and defending the right to explore diverse perspectives.

Winners of the IFC are honored with the prestigious Crafton Award, named after Dr. Robert Crafton, a past president of Sigma Tau Delta. Join us in celebrating the power of literature to provoke thought, challenge boundaries, and champion intellectual freedom.

Awards

Winning students will each receive a $150 check and an official Crafton Award certificate. NEHS recognizes that the high-quality writing we receive from students is driven by their motivation, enthusiasm, and natural talent. However, a significant factor in their success is support from their teachers. Therefore, NEHS will award $50 checks to the Chapter Advisors of the winning students.

Winning texts will be published on the NEHS Museletter blog.

Eligibility

Applicants must be NEHS student members enrolled in a school with an active NEHS chapter.

Submission Requirements

Selecting a Text

1. Students must select and read a text that has been challenged or banned. Attempts at censorship may be based on the ideas presented, the language used, or the scenes depicted. The text must have literary merit and a value that might place it in English or social studies classrooms for reading and discussion or place it in libraries for students and teachers to select.
2. Texts can include novels, graphic novels, drama, young adult literature, poetry collections, short stories, or nonfiction.

Writing a Response

1. Students must write a rationale for the book, promoting an argument as to why the text should be freely available. The essay should consider counterarguments that differ from the writer’s opinion.
2. Essays must be typed in a clear 12-point font, must be double-spaced, and be a maximum of 850 words including quotes and references. In-text citation is required for quotes and references; a Works Cited page is needed if additional research is included. 
3. The essay must include an interesting and informative title (do not simply use the title of the novel being discussed).
4. Citations of the text discussed and any other research undertaken must use current MLA formatting guidelines. A Works Cited page should be included, but does not form part of the word count.

Submission Process

1. All submissions must be made via the NEHS AwardSpring platform during the Winter Awards Cycle.
2. Student members must upload a PDF file (.pdf) of their essay.
3. Applicants must complete demographic data questions prior to submitting their documentation.
4. All student writers must include a 150-word (max.) third-person biography and high-resolution portrait photo.
5. Applicants must agree that they are willing to provide a written report and photos detailing the impact the award has had on them, which can be used by NEHS to promote this and other opportunities in future years should they win an award.

Evaluation Process

All submissions will be evaluated by US university English professors and members of the NEHS Advisory Council.

All submissions will be evaluated against a rubric containing (but not limited to) the following categories:

• Content
• Development
• Structure and organization
• Word Choice
• Sentence Variety
• Mechanics

Intellectual Freedom Challenge Resources

1. American Library Association: list of banned and challenged books
2. Banned Books Week: resources for readers and advocates
3. National Coalition Against Censorship: database of books challenged and banned in schools
4. Pen America: reports and resources on book bans in the United States
5. Freedom to Read Foundation: information on censorship issues and support for the right to access information and ideas
6. NCTE Intellectual Freedom Center: resources for advocating for books in classrooms