March 31st

1. Comma Quiz.

Read through the following two instructional links.
Remember: Parallel Structure is the balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure. We have already examined this when reading the Sacred Texts..

Clause: group of words with a subject and predicate (can be independent or dependent.. remember what makes them dependent?)
Phrase: group of words that FUNCTIONS as one part of the sentence (The subject... modifiers.. the predicate... the objects)

2. Parallelism work:
                        Link #1 Parallelism- Rules
                        Link #2 Parallelism Grammar Link
3. Parallelism practice:
                       Link #1 Parallelism Exercise #1
                       Link #2 Parallelism Exercise #2
                       Link #3 Parallelism Exercise

Keep track of your answers on a piece of paper. Clearly label each group of questions.

Homework: Read to 152 in Brave New World.  Quiz.

Wednesday/Thursday March 29th/30th

1. Take out your notes with your examples of the 8 Dystopian Characteristics seen in Brave New World. Open up a Google Document and pick 4 of the characteristics that you feel are the most prevalent in Brave New World. On the document,

• MLA Heading
• List the characteristic
• Provide at least 3 specific examples of how the characteristic is seen in BNW with direct quotations from the text. Make sure that you have cited them correctly. (Huxley 45). 
• Write a literary claim from your findings that speaks to what you find is the significance of the characteristic to the meaning of the book. (Literary thesis... follow the formula)

2. Comma practice... remember, quiz on FRIDAY!
Comma Practice Quiz #1
Comma Practice Quiz #2

Keep track of your scores on a piece of paper. Clearly label each quiz. Turn in on Friday.

3. Read Brave New World up to page 122 for Friday. Remember we have a quiz up to 152 on Monday!

March 28th

1. Small small group discussion over the "How I think Questions". You will have 20 minutes do discuss as a small group. After 20 minutes, we will open up these questions into a large group.

2. Review the Dystopian Literature Characteristics (received during Animal Farm).  For class Wednesday/Thursday, have examples of how BNW functions as a dystopian text. Search for a minimum of two examples for each characteristic. Put these in your notes.

March 27th

We are getting started with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World today. This book is outstanding!!

1. In order to dive in with the right mindset we need to consider our current mindset.. Therefore, read through the following questions; think about where you stand on the issue presented; then explain why and how you think about the issue.

Make a copy of the document, or write your answers on paper. Please have this printed off when you come to class on Tuesday, if you write on the document.

How do I think? Questions

2. We are also going to be examining Aldous Huxley's world. With Brave New World, we are going to be considering Historical Context with the background information on Huxley and his world.

Jot down notes from this link.

Huxley's World and Background Notes

3. 11 Rules for Commas quiz on Friday, March 31st.

Brave New World Reading Schedule:
March 27th: 1-62
March 28th: 63-78
March 31st: 79-122
April 3rd: 123-152 (QUIZ)
April 5th/6th: 153-197
April 10th: 229-259 (Finish the book) (QUIZ)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

1. Watch the Aldous Huxley interview with Mike Wallace.
2. Discuss Chapter 1 of Brave New World. 

For Monday, March 27th- Have read Part 1 of Brave New World (page 62) . I would suggest, however, reading as much as you can over break because the reading assignments after break will be larger.

March 15th and 16th

Grammar Practice: 
Today we are going to reviewing the building blocks of sentence construction.

Independent Clause: A group of words that have both a subject and predicate, which expresses a complete thought.

Dependent Clause: A group of words that have both a subject and predicate, but does not express a complete thought. (Look for an added word to the clause.. relative pronouns, that, which, who, whom... or words that start an introductory clause)

Look over the list of Dependent Clauses. It will help you spot them: Examples of Dependent Clauses

Sentence Fragment: Looks like a sentence but is missing either a subject or predicate.

We will also be looking at COMMAS....

Please put the following 11 times to use a comma in your notes:

Quick Guide to Commas from the Purdue OWL 

1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.

4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.

7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion.

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

Homework...

For Friday: Go to Noredink.com and log in to your account. You will see an assignment that will provide practice in identifying independent/dependent clauses... and using commas. 

RECEIVE Brave New World! Yay! Read Chapter 1 for Friday, March 15th

Questions to consider for Chapter 1: 

•      Who is the D.H.C.?
•       What is Bokanovsky's Process?
•        Explain why Bokanovsky's Process is one of the major instruments of social stability.
•       What is the point of conditioning?
•      Why does Huxley fill the first chapter with such complex scientific descriptions? What is the effect on the reader?
•     Do you see any similarities in BNW to AF? 

March 13th

1. Refresh on the definition of allegory. Remember the second layer of meaning derives from the entire narrative working on a representative level. Take in the whole plot and think about what message is coming from the actions.

2. Work through the following questions in order to see how the allegorical meaning is developed in Animal Farm. 

Animal Farm as Allegory

For Tuesday:
1. You will need to come to class with a complete outline that is designed to answer the question:
How does Animal Farm function as an allegory. 

We have done plenty of prep work. You should have notes/evidence to pull from. Remember that this prompt is designed for you to EXPLAIN HOW. When constructing your outline, consider the following:

• What order will best support my explanation?
• Where should I include a definition of the literary device? 
• How do I bring in the historical context to support the allegorical meaning?
• What evidence best suits my explanation? 
• How should I organize my answer? 
• Does each bit of evidence have the accompanying explanation? 

March 10th

You have look for examples of how Animal Farm functions as a dystopian novel. Now we are going to explore dystopian characteristics a bit further..

In small groups,
1. Discuss your examples of how Animal Farm functions as a dystopian novella.

2. When you have discussed each of the 8 characteristics of a dystopian novel in context of AF review and discuss the following more philosophical questions.  Take your general examples and ideas and also put them in context to Animal Farm. 

• What factors/situations combine to create dystopia?
• What happens to the individual/the group in a dystopia?
• Is the disappearance of the individual a bad thing?
• Think of our current society – what aspects of utopia/dystopia do we have?
• When is it best to conform to the wishes or rules of others?
• What problems are avoided when people conform?
• What new problems does conformity create?
• How important is it for people to have choices?

In the last 5 minutes of class, go to Google Classroom and respond to the following prompt: Which of the 8 philosophical/genre questions did you find the most intriguing and why? What were some ideas that were discussed in your group in reference to this question? 

For Monday: Take notes on the following....

Allegory: A story with two levels of meaning. The first level is the plot/surface level story. The second level functions on a symbolic level. 

Although an allegory uses symbols, it is different from symbolism. An allegory is a complete narrative which involves characters and events that stand for abstract ideas or events. A symbol is an object that stands for another object giving it a particular meaning. Unlike allegory, symbolism does not tell a story. 

In many allegories, the hidden story has something to do with politics, religion, or morality — complex subjects that are difficult to understand directly. Many authors find it easier to think through these issues by translating them into allegories, which are easier to understand (and more fun to read) than dense philosophical arguments.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is one of literature’s most famous allegories. The surface story is about a group of farm animals who rise up, kick out the humans, and try to run the farm themselves. The hidden story, however, is about the Russian Revolution, and each of the characters represents some figure from that revolution. The pigs represent Communist leaders like Stalin, Lenin, and Trotsky, the dogs represent the KGB, the humans represent capitalists, the horses represent the working class, etc.

Please review the following Prezi to understand the Historical Context and its influence in creating the allegory of Animal Farm

Allegory Animal Farm- Prezi

March 8th/9th

Propaganda Posters and Reflections are due today.

We have defined propaganda, examined its usage in Animal Farm, analyzed examples of visual propaganda, recognized propaganda techniques used in current society, and now we have applied this knowledge by creating our own examples of propaganda that would develop from Manor Farm/Animal Farm.

The use of propaganda is one technique in the creation and sustaining of a Utopian Society.

1. We will be watching 2 short videos on Dystopian Literature and "What it means to be Orwellian".
The Orwellian explanation will show how Dystopian characteristics are demonstrated in his famous book 1984. In this examination, it will demonstrate how the concept of what Orwell's purpose in writing.

2. Please get the following definitions and characteristics in your notes.

Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics,
laws, customs, and conditions. *Usually the goal of the character(s) within the story being told

Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and
the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic,
technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated
worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or
political system. 
**How the author intends us to view the results of the character(s)' attempts to create the UTOPIA. Also the characters subjected to the actions of the utopian creation can view it as a dystopia.

Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
• Propaganda is used to control the citizens of society.
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshiped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• Citizens have a fear of the outside world.
• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
• The natural world is banished and distrusted.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

Types of Dystopian Controls 
Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:

• Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media.
• Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials.
• Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means.
 • Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

The Dystopian Protagonist
• often feels trapped and is struggling to escape.
• questions the existing social and political systems.
• believes or feels that something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.
• helps the audience recognizes the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

3. Using the 8 Characteristics of Dystopian Literature- Find two examples for each characteristic in Animal Farm. 

Remember the literary terms/devices that we defined at the start of this book: Satire, Propaganda, Dystopia, Allegory, Theme, Motif.  Keep reviewing definitions and characteristics. 

March 6th

1. Introduction to Animal Farm propaganda poster assignment. Assignment link here: AF Poster Assignment

Poster and accompanying writing are both due on Wednesday/Thursday March 8th/9th at the beginning of class. Have this printed before you arrive to class. You will not be excused to go print.

2. Finish watching Animal Farm. 

March 1st

1. Turn in the 10 Statements of Propaganda- Animal Farm. 
2. In small groups, review the different types of propaganda.
3. Examine the World War II propaganda posters with the guiding questions. These are due on Thursday, March 2nd.