ENG3UI J. Rice Feb-Mar 2008
Unit 3 – Literature and the “Real World”
Discussion Board 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 history, current events, and human affairs?
We will study each Part of 1984 by examining how themes and details from the text can be synthesized with other materials (news items, essays, visuals) to create interesting and thoughtful discussions about a thought-provoking argument question.
A special Blackboard Course that includes members from both ENG3UI courses will be set up for the purpose of this assignment. Discussion boards are located from the main course menu of that course under Tools --> Communication --> Group Pages
Each of you will belong to a group of four composed of two members from each class. Two of you are responsible for developing the discussion question for Part 2, and the other two will be responsible for Part 3. I will be modeling Part 1, and you will all respond as practice for the rest of the assignment.
In your group, you may decide how to partner up: you may work with someone from your own class or with someone from the other class. The group members need to decide which pair is responsible for Part 2 and which for Part 3.
The work you are doing in this assignment will prepare you for your later independent novel study after the March break.
Posting Discussion Topics:
Each pair is responsible for posting, by the assigned date for the Part it is responsible for, the following to the appropriate Group Discussion Board:
Two supplementary readings related to the thematic focus of the Part (see below). Each supplementary reading must represent a different perspective on the issue under discussion;
One question about the text itself that leads to discussion but also requires textual support, with a focus on the content of the Part under discussion;
One discussion question that involves broader issues, including the supplemental reading.
I will model Part 1 and your responses to it will be formative. Use the feedback I provide to help you improve your answers later in the process.
Posting Responses:
For each Part, the other members of the group are responsible for:
reading the supplementary material;
posting at least one answer to each question posted (2 answers total);
posting at least one response to someone else’s posting on either question.
Responses must be posted by 12 midnight at the end of the due date; final posting dates for each Part are listed below.
You are encouraged to make more than the required number of postings. Questioners are welcome to participate in the discussion.
Keep discussion threads tidy by paying attention to where you are replying.
You should read over the other postings before completing your own postings. Be sure to respond directly to the observations made by your peers. The obvious exception to this rule is if you are the first responder to post. To promote variety, try to avoid always being the first (or, for that matter, the last) person!
Keep in mind this is a public site being used for academic purposes. For this reason, formal language is to be used. Slang, IM short forms, etc. are not allowed. Practise good language mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation) and appropriate citation of sources. You may wish to compose in Word and then spellcheck, transferring your completed responses to the discussion board. This practice also prevents loss of your composition should you lose connection to the discussion board.
Posting schedule:
Responses Evaluation
Creating and posting questions (two readings; two questions; meets requirements): 2 marks
Completing answers (answering both questions): 1 mark
Responding to at least one other poster’s reply: 1 mark
Timely participation (meeting the response deadline with ALL components): 1 mark
Using concrete examples / evidence from the texts : 1 mark
Making connections (with elsewhere in the text, others’ responses, readings, personal experience and wider scope of literature/media, etc.): 1 mark
Conventions (clarity/correctness, courtesy, form, expression) : 1 mark
TOTAL: 8 marks (only full marks will be used)