Due 11/27: 1984, Goldstein’s Book

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 20th 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.

Due 11/15: 1984, Goldstein’s Book

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 Tuesday.

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.

Due 11/13: 1984

PRECIS TOMORROW BY 4PM. Must be typed! Also, be sure to leave your copy of Politics and the English Language with me as well (This does not apply to those of you who are happy with your annotation grade.)

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

Due 11/10: Politics and the English Language

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 4B
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).

Due 11/7: 1984 and Politics and the English Language

1. 1984–Back to the novel. Read and annotate Chapters 3-6 of Part II. Keep the following in mind for annotating:

Additionally, you are expected to annotate as or after you read each night.  This is mandatory.  You will learn how to provide some focus to your annotations. Ultimately, focused annotating prepares you for your reading responses and your formal essays.  To annotate is to supply with critical or explanatory notes:

  • Identifying lines that resonate with you, confuse you, or make you want to know more
  • Asking questions of general thematic/philosophical value
  • Tracking the development of a theme that may connect to one or more of the philosophical readings or other fiction.

** Merely underlining or highlighting the text will earn you a D, at best.

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

On 11/7 we will brainstorm issues/subjects for our Art as Social… Commentary Projects.

George Orwell uses the novel as a means to communicate his critical view of political and social paradigms of the mid 20th 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.