In this lesson, students explore the issue of authenticity in written works and the responsibilities of the media when authenticity is in question. Students read and assess two Holocaust accounts, one that is factual and one that was fabricated. Students then further examine, through both class discussion and essays, the importance of authenticity in the media. Review the Academic Content Standards related to this lesson. Explore, in a brief persuasive essay, the notion of authenticity in the media to share in a later class as part of a round-table discussion.
Students share their responses.
Do not reveal that one is not authentic. Ask students to read the excerpts silently, underlining details that suggest authenticity in each work. When all students are finished reading, discuss what students underlined and why. Then, tell students that one of these excerpts is from a book that has recently caused great controversy because the writer was found to not have been a Holocaust survivor at all. In a future class, students should present their ideas in a round-table discussion format in which all students are encouraged to participate in the discussion of each of the essay topics.