ENG3UI -- Mar/Apr 2007 -- Ms Rice
Unit 3 – Literature and the “Real World"
Dystopia ISP
In his preface to his 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman argued that aspects of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World were more prevalent in our modern society than those of George Orwell’s 1984.
You have independently read one of the following dystopic novels (or an approved alternative):
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World
Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451 Maguire, Gregory. Wicked
Now it is your turn to judge to what extent your novel reflects or comments on the current state of affairs in the modern world.
In a well-composed essay of approximately 1000-1200 words (2-3 pages), argue that your novel, while an exaggeration, reflects, criticizes, or comments on significant elements of the world today.
Your first body paragraph will be a concession – that is, you will concede (admit) that the novel is not a perfectly accurate depiction of our current world, and you will explain why this is.
The remainder of your essay will identify at least one significant dystopic element that the author is using to reflect or comment on an aspect of today’s society, using evidence you have drawn from current or recent events to support your observations about the novel.
Your thesis will reflect both the concession and your main argument(s) about what aspects of our society are reflected in the novel and why or how.
Before you begin your essay, please read Dystopian Literature Primer. You are expected to make cited reference to this website in your paper. This is the only website you are permitted to use for this assignment. (Online versions of newspapers, periodicals, or database articles are not considered websites.)
Final products to be submitted:
Two to three articles from a newspaper, magazine, or similar periodical that you will use to support your argument
Your essay, properly formatted and including appropriate citations to the novel, the articles, and the website for support
A correct Works Cited list that includes all your sources
Evaluation
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following general criteria (see rubric below for more details):
Knowledge/Understanding:
Essay shows a detailed, comprehensive, and sophisticated independent understanding of the novel through range and relevance of evidence
Thinking/Inquiry:
Concession addresses difference between fictional world and reality
Synthesis of novel, articles, and website demonstrates appropriate selection of supplementary materials and ability to connect them significantly and convincingly to the novel
Arguments are supported by thorough logic, reasoning, and evidence
Communication:
Ideas progress forcefully in an organized way
Writing employs a voice appropriate to purpose
Application:
Diction is rich, varied, mature, and accurate
Bibliographic format and citation style are correct
Evaluation: