1984And Brave New Worldmedia Assignment

1984and Brave New WorldMedia Assignment

All our modern media embodies an ideology.

Ideology: a particular body of ideas, on which a certain political system is based. The most common tactic of ideology is to show how the interests of the group are “really” the same as the interests of the whole society or of humanity in general.

Media: a means of mass communication.

The Assignment

You will be researching a form of mass media (Internet forms, social networking, new technology, technological applications—apps / surveillance / information types, music, music videos, etc.). I want you to examine your form based on the following:

media forms and textsare carefully made
there are no accidents
it is only one version of reality or perceived reality
it is made for a particular audience
it is trying to sell you something, even ideas and lifestyles.

Look at your form and deconstruct it. Who is the target audience? What values are promoted? Are there any “hidden” messages? What is its purpose?How does it psychologically and emotionally influence individuals in society?

Are all media using doublespeak? Could this lead to doublethink? Hmm…

Start with examining howeuphemistic language, attitudes, and conduct brainwash the societies in 1984 and Brave New World. Then, ask yourself how your particular media form might be brainwashing us.

Outline of what you NEED to include in your presentation:

Define your chosen media and what aspect of it you are studying.
Include your media in your assignment
Present a critical parody of your media
Create what the form would be if it was free of “doublespeak.” (What is it really saying?)
Cited primary sources (Orwell & Huxley) and secondary sources. One of your secondary sources must be Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death.
Establish direct thematic parallels to Orwell’s 1984
Establish direct thematic parallels to Huxley’s Brave New World
Examine the adverse effects of your media on the individual, society, or both.

The format of this assignment is up to you, but you do need to follow ALL the criteria on this handout, and you also need to make sure a cohesive, structured piece of writing is included in your assignment (script, report, booklet, article, etc.). The written work may form any portion of your assignment (1000 words?). You also need to include a works cited page that specifically states where you received your research information.

As your assignment will take the form of some sort of synthesis presentation, it should be no longer than 15 minutes with NO READING OFF THE SCREEN! KNOW YOUR MATERIAL!

Good luck, and be careful out there in a world full of doublespeak and manipulation.

1984 Media Assignment

Group: ______/ ______/ ______/ ______

Who is the target audience?______What values are promoted?______Are there any “hidden” messages?______What is its purpose?______

______/4

Define your chosen media and what aspect of it you are studying: ______

______/4

Include your media in your assignment: ______

______/4

Present a critical parody of your media: ______

______/4

Create what the form would be if it was free of “doublespeak.” (What is it really saying?)

______

______/4

Establish direct thematic parallels to Orwell’s 1984:______

______/6

Establish direct thematic parallels to Huxley’s Brave New World: ______

______/6

Establishconcrete connections between your argument and secondary sources, including Postman’s Amusing Ourselves To Death: ______
(Note: include a Works Cited page)

______/6

Overall format of presentation (quality of written work, subject knowledge, visuals, and aesthetic quality).

______

______/6

Additional Comments

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