1984 Argument and Synthesis prompt creation (09)

ENG3UI Unit 3 – Literature and the “Real World” Feb-Mar 2009

Wiki Argument / Synthesis Assignment

1984

The theme of this unit is “Literature and the ‘Real World’” – in other words, how can we make connections between what we read in fiction and what we perceive about the human condition, history, current events, and human affairs?

We will study each Part of 1984 by examining how themes and details from the text can be the basis for interesting and thoughtful argument writing, and also synthesized with other materials (news items, essays, visuals) to developed a “researched argument” (an argument based on specific source materials).

Small-group wikis have been set up on Blackboard. Based on themes and ideas generated in discussion and prompt models examined in class, you will collaborate with your group members on:

• • an argument question for Part 2

  • a synthesis question for Part 3 / the whole book

We will work together on models for each type of question using Part 1 as our primary source material.

All question creation work is formative, but it will prepare you for your later independent novel study after the March break and for your summative after the AP exam.

Posting Questions:

Each group is responsible for posting the following pages to their wiki:

• 1. Argument page: contains a well-crafted argument question based on Part 2 of 1984. The question will involve either a carefully-selected provocative quotation, or an assertion about a central concept, with a prompt for responding.

  2. Synthesis page: contains a well-crafted synthesis question based on Part 3 of 1984 or the book as a whole. The question will include an introduction as modeled in sample synthesis prompts and a prompt for responding. It will also supply five sources relating significantly to ideas in Part 3, including:

     1. 1. a 250- to 350-word passage selected from the latter half of the novel

        2. a visual source

        3. three other sources / excerpts from sources, of approximately the same length as the 1984 passage and representing a range of positions on the idea that forms the basis of the prompt

        4. correct bibliographic information for each source (including the novel)

  3. Source evaluation page: contains the following information about each source used on the synthesis page:

• • • 1. bibliographic information ordered alphabetically according to the rules of correct documentation of sources

      2. a max 150-word annotation that includes a brief (1-2 sentence) summary of the source and an identification of the source’s position/bias

Responding:

A response to one argument question and one synthesis question created by another group will follow completion of the wikis. More details to follow: I have not yet decided if this response will be formative or marked; much may depend on time constraints, as this is the first time I have attempted this particular approach to studying the novel and the argument and synthesis skills.