1. 1984–Short reading assignment. Read and annotate Chapter X. As a reminder, annotations are always collected and graded. So, once we complete this novel, expect a collection.

2. ASC–Due date update!

• Dec. 1–Precis #1 due
• Dec. 8–Precis #2 and #3 due
• Creative Project will be due the day of our assessment which is TBA. What we do know, is that the creative project will be due no sooner than Dec. 14. So, it is no longer due Dec. 11.

Keep in mind that the precis are worth a total of 150 points and the creative project is worth 150 points.

1. 1984–Complete Goldstein’s Book. There will be another reading quiz upon your return.

2. Art as Social/Political/Economic/Environmental Commentary

Pay attention to due dates:

12/1: First two precis due
12/8: Last precis due
12/11: Creative Project Due

You should have narrowed your options for this project down to two subjects. Also, be sure you are familiar with the details of the assignment.

George Orwell uses the novel as a means to communicate his critical view of political and social paradigms of the mid 20^th Century. As I am sure you are aware, he felt strongly about his critique of totalitarianism in general and Stalin’s Soviet Union in particular.

Now it is your turn to use art as a form of commentary.  First things first, choose a subject that you feel strongly about, something in which you can invest your time, thought, emotion, and creative juices. Your only limit here is your imagination! Your art should have consciousness and purpose as you create awareness.  It should be genuine. Ultimately, I expect that you will elevate and catalyze a dialogue relevant to your subject.

After selecting your subject, you must Research! You are expected to research your subject accumulating 3 sources further informing your understanding of the subject.  Understanding that the sources and précis are to work in concert solidifying your knowledge on the subject, thoughtfully choose your sources and choose sources from legitimate web sites (avoid wiki links, joe schmoe’s blog, joe schmoe and his cronie’s website, etc.).  You are then expected to write a precis for each source. Print out and read the precis expectations. You should have the precis printout in your binder as with all printouts. Let me stress, read the precis guidelines very closely. Further, the sources should ultimately help to give form to your creative project.  At the end, you will submit your research with the creative project. As I stressed in class, choose a subject you genuinely care about.

Folks, this is not some casual art assignment that can be done in your journal consisting of a couple of stick figures. If you do this you will receive no credit for the assignment. In grading the visual bit I am expecting to see the product of deep thought (thematic understanding), extraordinary effort, and creative effort.

The following will be considered when assessing these:

1. Project’s visual impact (The visual should be aesthetically pleasing…more simply, it should look amazing)
2. The project should be informed by your research. It should reflect knowledge and understanding.
3. Project is thoughtful (The visual should be so thoughtfully and carefully created so as to carry your commentary/message.)
4. Project is well-designed/executed
5. Project reflects exceptional effort.

VERY IMPORTANT: The visual alone should communicate the commentary/message. You should not have to rely on words! This is not to say that you cannot have language woven into the visual.

I expect your very best creative work here.  Know your creative strengths and weaknesses. If you are not a “natural” artist, improvise… Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. No excuses for mediocrity on this assignment. Peace.

1. 1984–Read and annotate “Goldstein’s Book” through p. 201. Most of this reading represents another narrative shift for Orwell topped off with one of the great plot twists in all of literature. He steps away from the traditional narrative to introduce a couple of Chapters from Goldstein’s Book. As I told you, this reads as nonfiction and may be difficult for some of you but I want you to consider why Orwell would abandon his narrative to introduce the book. Also, I would like you to think about any connections to our world. As this is heavy reading, I would suggest you break it up into two manageable reading sessions.

There will be a reading quiz on this reading (our first of the year).

2. Class Forum–Post your paragraph by midnight Wednesday.

3. Art as Social Commentary–Keep the due dates in mind:

• Dec. 1–First two precis due!
• Dec. 8–Third precis due!
• Dec. 11–Creative project due!

The following will be considered when assessing the creative project:

1. Project’s visual impact
2. The project should be informed by your research. It should reflect knowledge and understanding.
3. Project is thoughtful (The visual should be so thoughtfully and carefully created so as to carry your commentary/message.)
4. Project is well-designed/executed
5. Project reflects exceptional effort.

1. 1984–Read and annotate Chapter 6-9 (Stop on p. 184 just before Goldstein’s Book).

2. Keep in mind:

• Annotations for Politics and the English Language should have been submitted.
• Precis hard copies should have been given to me. In the future, all typed work must be presented to me in hard copy.
• Participation grades will be updated today.
• First two precis for ASC (Art as Social Commentary) are due 12/1.

1. Precis on Politics and the English Language–This will be your first précis and first project/essay grade for this quarter. This requires that you have at least Control of the source article.  The precis should be typed and single-spaced (1-2 pages). Keep in mind the tips listed on the board. Use proper heading for the class (In the upper left corner; single spaced):

Your Name
English 1A (or 2A)
11/10/17

You should use the following title:

Precis: Politics and the English Language (centered)

The precis should be turned in by 4 pm on Friday (you can either give it to me personally or place it in my mailbox).