Informational Essay Assignment

Assignment Objectives  Conduct research in order to define a utopia and dystopia  Apply what you know about dystopian literature and make connections between an established utopia  Cite evidence to support your argument  Practice informational writing skills

Dystopian Literature As we’ve learned dystopian literature presents a world of oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society. This is achieved by various means. Consult dystopian characteristics chart for more ideas.  Review examples from Brave New World

The Task Now that we’ve read about a dystopia, is it possible for one to exist in real life? The World State succeeds because the citizens believe they live in a utopia, could we be victims of the same ignorance? Do real life utopias exist, and are they truly dystopias?

The Process  We will begin the second step, outlining examples of how the characters in BNW define their utopia, and what makes it dystopian.

Essay Requirements  Introduction: Research-based definition of utopia and dystopia. Thesis proves why a utopia changes into a dystopia.  Body paragraph one: Prove how the Controllers convinces the citizens of the World State that they live in a utopia. Need quoted passages of support and analysis.  Body paragraph two: In what ways is the World State really a dystopia, based on the traits studied in class. Need quoted passages of support and analysis.

Essay Requirements  Body paragraph three: Research a real life utopian community. How do they define their personal utopia. Include quoted passages of support and analysis.  Body paragraph four: Show how the vision of a real life utopia evolves into a dystopia based on dystopian traits. Include quoted passages of support and analysis.  Conclusion should be thought provoking, and relate to themes we have studied this semester.

Writing a Thesis Statement  Everyone will begin the thesis in a similar way: The illusion of a perfect society is represented in the World State and ____. The World State and ____ are illusions of perfect utopian worlds.

Writing a Thesis Statement  The arguments will be different for everyone depending on the dystopian traits you select… ○ The illusion of utopia is destroyed since the citizens live a dehumanized life and worship a corrupt leader. ○ The utopia evolves into dystopia because the citizens must conform to uniform expectations, and the outside world is distrusted.  Your arguments can change after you do some research! It’s ok!

Outlining Body Paragraph One:  Topic Sentence should remind reader of thesis statement and answer this question: How do the World Controllers convince citizens of the World State that they live in a utopia?  Find a quote to support this idea. Write down, include the citation.  Explain to the reader, in 4 sentences how the quote relates to the idea of illusion of utopia.

Outlining Body Paragraph Two:  Topic Sentence should remind reader of the argument used in the thesis statement and answer this question: In what way is the World State really a dystopia?  Find a second quote to support this idea, write it down and cite it.  Explain to the reader, in 4 sentences how the quote relates to the argument used in thesis about dystopia.

Important Dates  Mon 10/21: Library for research  Tues 10/22: Library for research and writing  Wed 10/23: F-217 for writing ○ (2 nd period laptop cart)  Tues 10/29: Library for writing  Wed 10/30: Peer editing in class  Thurs 10/31: Final Draft is due

Back Yard Utopias  Owl House & Camel Yard - South Africa Helen Martins (1898–1976)  Bottle Village - Simi Valley, California Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey (1896–1988)  The Forevertron - Baraboo, Wisconsin Dr. Evermor, born 1938  Palais Ideál - Hauterives, France Ferdinand Cheval, 1836–1924  Paradise Garden - Summerville, Georgia, Howard Finster, 1916–2001  Pasaquan - Columbus, Georgia Eddie Owens Martin (1908–1986)  Salvation Mountain - Slab City, California Leonard Knight, born 1931  Rock Garden - Chandigarh, India Nek Chand, born 1924  Watts Towers - Los Angles, California, Simon Rodia (1879–1965)  Windmill Park - Lucama, North Carolina Vollis Simpson, born

American Utopias  Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania  New Harmony, Indiana  Brook Farm, Massachusetts  The Oneida Community, New York  The Amana Colonies, Iowa  Lomaland, California  The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony, California  Drop City, Colorado  Twin Oaks, Virginia  Jonestown, Guyana

Eight Modern Utopias  Arcosanti, Arizona  Crystal Waters, Australia  The EcoVillage,N.Y.  The Farm, Tennesse  Findhorn Foundation And Community, Scotland  Twin Oaks Community, Virginia  Toyosato, A Yamagishi Village, Japan  ZEGG, Belzig, Germany

Other Topics…  E-Book: Utopias in American History You’ll need H-H library applications log-on info if using from home  “Bio Credits Charles Manson's Terrible Rise To Right Place And Time”  “Silicon Valley Trailer Park Residents Fight To Stay”  “The Dark Side of Dubai, United Arab Emirates”  “Tomorrow's cities: Just how smart is Songdo? South Korea?”