Good morning
You will have 10 minutes to prepare for the timed write.
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1984 Writing Prompts
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Prompt #1: O’Brien also argues that the Party has control over external reality because nothing exists outside
the mind, although he admits that for certain purposes this is not true. Those instances can be taken care of
by doublethink. He asks Winston how one man asserts power over another. Winston answers, “By making him
suffer.” O’Brien agrees. Winston responds that it would be impossible to found a civilization on fear and
hatred and cruelty and that such a society could never endure because “It would have no vitality. It would
disintegrate. It would commit suicide.” (Reread this portion of the novel.)
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Who is right, Winston or O’Brien? In a well-organized essay, discuss whether or not a society based on hate
and suffering such as O’Brien describes could exist for very long. Would the intoxication of power and the
thrill of victory be enough motivation for people to continue living without friendship or love? Could you live
in such a society? Why or why not? In supporting your arguments, use evidence from the novel, other texts,
and your own experience.
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Prompt #2: 1984 provides a cautionary tale about the potential of surveillance technology to allow an
authoritarian government to control the population government to control the population.
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In a well-organized essay, discuss how close our current society is to the potential of Big Brother and 1984. In
order to do this, you will need to describe the surveillance technology used by Big Brother, including its
capabilities and limitations, and compare it to the capabilities of current technology. You will also need to
discuss who uses the technology and the purposes for which it is used. Finally, if Big Brother really might be
watching us, what can we do to stop it?
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Note: You may decide that in order to support your arguments effectively, you need to do some further
research beyond the novel and the two additional articles.
Students will understand the shift from early Victorian era to later
Victorian era in regards to
Views of gender roles
Decorum
Materialism and superficiality
Students will understand the impact of the growth of the British
empire
Diversity of literature
Diversity of perspective
 Growing
industrialization and increased
population in cities had both positive and
negative results.
 The reform movement led to changes in the
role of women, working conditions and labor
laws, voting rights, and education and literacy.
 Progress is a paradox – both good and bad come
from scientific and technological advances.
 Victorians questioned progress – is it positive or
negative.
 Colonization expanded the British empire in
terms of ideas and lifestyle
 Embraced
and questioned tradition
 Sought new ways to understand love, grief,
nature, God and the human condition
 Were skeptical of an infinite power
 Were critical of society’s reverence for
stability and decorum
 Thought it was possible to find order in a
bleak and chaotic world
 Disapproved of a materialistic, shallow, and
secular society
Students will engage in sustained reading inside and
outside of the classroom to foster meaningful
conversation and thought.
Students will demonstrate their ability to take notes
for understanding
PURPOSE: The purpose of this unit is to engage you in sustained reading outside the classroom
that exposes you to quality literature of the British literary tradition. You will be asked to think
critically about the major themes in the novel, as well as the context of the literary period in
which it was written.
TASK: Choose a British novel of at least 200 pages in length. A list of pre-approved
British novels currently available in the SKHS bookroom is listed on your assignment
sheet. You may propose a British novel that is not listed; all novels must be
approved by me. You will be responsible for obtaining a copy of any novel that is
not chosen from the pre-approved list below.
PROPOSAL: By the date indicated on the reading schedule, you will write a brief
proposal stating which British novel you have chosen, the author’s, the number of
pages, and your reason for selecting this novel. Due 4/20 (A) 4/21(B)
ASSIGNMENTS: Periodically, you will be asked to complete class activities pertaining to your
reading.
ASSESSMENTS: You will have two written assessments for the novel: at mid-point of the novel
and at the conclusion of the novel, per the reading schedule. Both assessments will be timed.
These assessments will be based on your understanding of the plot, the development of the
major characters, the key themes, and the novel’s relationship to the period in which it
was written. For both assessments, you will need to cite sufficient, relevant textual evidence
to support your claims. You must determine the reading strategy you will employ to engage
with the novel and collect textual evidence for the assessments. Suggested reading strategies
include annotating the text, double entry reading journals, etc.
Two choices:
1. Can a society based on hate survive?
2. Is our technology taking us closer to the
world of Big Brother?
*You will have 50 minutes to write your essay
next class [4/20 (A) 4/21(B)]
Articles: While we are reading the article take
notes on a piece of notebook paper. I do not
have enough copies to give you an article to
keep but you can go to my website and reread
the articles or print a copy for your use.
[928 – 929] Read the background for Alfred,
Lord Tennyson and write down three significant
things about his life.
Workbook page 314 – 320
Read and mark up the text – do all of the side
bar questions/reflections
H/W
1. Read the “Lady of Shalott” in your workbooks
and respond to reflections/questions in the
grey/blue side margins (if not finished in class)
2. Read Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess” in
your workbooks and respond to the
reflections/questions
Reflect on the learning targets for today.
Do you feel you met the targets?
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Students will be exposed to other cultures and time
periods, quality literature and effective/varied
writing styles
Students will begin to understand key facts that
influenced and developed literature
Students will write effectively in expository mode to
examine/analysis a complex idea
1. What is one thing that you completed or
learned today that you found interesting?
2. What is one thing that you feel you can
improve in future classes?