1. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
Future Worlds Context Response

2. Choose a style: Persuasive Expository
Sets out to argue and prove a case
Aims to convince targeted audience of the validity of a viewpoint on an issue by presenting logical argument
Presents ideas that follow in logical progression
Anticipates and answers possible objections or opposing arguments
Presents well researched evidence to support the case
Provides facts from reputable authorities and research to prove, or disapprove, a position
Written with precision and authority
The intention is to explain, describe or interpret a situation, issue or event.
It explains, it does not present an argument
Considers all aspects of an issue without taking a side or setting out to prove a case
For example if you wrote an expository account of an issue and then tried to demonstrate the benefits over the disadvantages, you would be adding argument; an expository text would explore both without showing preference
Feature articles and detailed reports are usually expository in nature

3. Choose a style: Persuasive Expository persuasive essays
newspaper editorials
letters to the editor
opinion articles
feature articles
speeches
submissions
reflective/expository essays
news reports
biographies and autobiographies
personal letters
Speeches
submissions

4. Plan a response What are the KEY TERMS of the topic?
How do these ideas connect with the TEXTS that you have studied? (focus on Children of Men for the upcoming AT)
Each paragraph should be centred on an IDEA, which is then explored/ illustrated with examples from the texts.

5. Remember:
Context Responses are about: 1. The PROMPT 2. The FORM 3. The TEXTS

6. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
What does the topic MEAN?
How does this connect with Children of Men in terms of IDEAS?
How does this connect with Children of Men in terms of EXAMPLES?
How does this connect with other texts studied in terms of EXAMPLES?

7. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
Children of Men is not a traditional ‘futuristic’ dystopian society. It is rather a darker version of our own society.
Cuarón: “…I didn’t want to be distracted by the future... [and] didn't want to transport the audience into another reality“
The aim is to make the audience focus on similarities with their own lives and society, rather than the differences. This is why so much of the film is deliberately recognisable and based on contemporary events.

8. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
The main futuristic element is the concept of infertility. Interestingly, this is something unconnected with, and which cannot be overcome by, technology.
The focus is on the "denial of biology“ – the most basic human need.
The prospect of genetic continuity is completely absent, and with it “is the motivation underlying sex, love, and indeed everything in the organic world”.
Infertility, therefore, not only means the absence of children, but, worse, the absence of hope and sense of purpose.

9. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
This is a film about the threats we face today, and in particular, the dangers that stem from how we have chosen to respond to them:
Warfare
Terrorism
Racism and Immigration
Environmental Degradation
This is about the dangers of a society and civilisation without a future – it does not take infertility in order for the human race to risk losing its hope for a better world.

10. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
This is a film about the power of HOPE.
It is about HUMAN NATURE – something existing in the present – not just the future.
It is not about what our future holds – it is about what SHAPES our future.
Consider:
The contrast of Faith and Chance
The transformation of Theo
The Ark of the Arts
The reaction of people at Pier Point Tower, Bexhill

11. The stories we tell about the future are seldom about the future.
The futuristic aspect is an essential element as a means of HEIGHTENING the aspects of the present world that the director wishes to emphasise.
By taking these dystopian elements to an extreme, it draws attention to these aspects of our present world.
This is the result of the director’s emphasis on realism: a desire to create a world that’s more real than real.