Assessment Menu for George Orwell’s 1984

You have read the novel 1984 and it is time to put your knowledge, thoughts, and ideas to paper. Below are three choices under each heading of Mastery, Understanding, Interpersonal, and Self-Expressive. Choose ONE under each of the four headings and ONE in each level—1, 2, or 3. Your choices should add up to 100 points. Be sure to pay attention to the directions and the details of each choice.

Mastery / Understanding
Level #1 / Define the word “dystopia.” Make a list of the common traits of a dystopia. How does this definition and list of traits apply to the novel? (10 points) / Compare/contrast Julia and Winston’s idea of the Party and what rebellion means to each of them. Put your findings in a chart. (10 points)
Level #2 / Examine the Pledge of Allegiance word for word. What does it say about freedom of speech? Think about the novel, then from either Winston’s or Julia’s point of view, write a new pledge based on the rules of the Party and Oceania. (30 points) / You are Orwell’s editor. Your task is to replace the numbers of each part of the novel and each chapter within each part with actual chapter names. Make a chart for all three parts and each chapter within each part with your new titles. Be sure to explain your choices thoroughly. (30 points)
Level #3 / Recall four of the major themes of the novel. Then, find an example of each theme in each of the three parts---one example of each theme from the beginning, middle, and end of the book. Explain in 3-4 paragraphs how each theme is developed throughout the book.
(50 points) / Explain the meaning of The Chestnut Tree Café in the novel. What is its purpose? What does it symbolize? How does it function in the book? In 3-4 paragraphs, give examples from the text to support your ideas about this gathering place. (50 points)
Interpretive / Self-Expressive
Level #1 / Interview your parents about the concept of “doublethink.” Language that says one thing and means another is prevalent in our society. List examples of “doublethink” and explain your choices. (10 points) / Create your own poster for Hate Week. Remember it is a means of propaganda employed by the Inner Party to encourage conformity and public support of Party actions and policies. Stay true to the novel; don’t stray from the major themes of the text. (10 points)
Level #2 / How private are your actions online? Text messaging? Google searches? Facebook? Twitter? Write a short reflective essay (2-3 paragraphs) explaining the pros and cons of online activity. (30 points) / Create a dust jacket for the novel. Include a photo, major idea, incident, or symbol from the novel. Include also the title, the author’s name, and why readers should read the book. Include a short bio describing Orwell’s life. You must also complete a summary of the text. (30 points)
Level #3 / Is Orwell right? The novel deals with many issues about the individual’s right to privacy and how public opinion is manipulated. Choose one of the following topics to research and apply to the novel: manipulation (advertising, campaigning, social media, etc…) or privacy issues (surveillance, cameras, US Patriot Act, etc…). Write a short essay, 3-4 paragraphs, explaining your findings. (50 points) / Create your own Newspeak Dictionary. Include a minimum of 15 words from our daily lives that could be considered “newspeak” words. Include the definition, and example of how to correctly use the word, and why you have chosen it to represent “newspeak” in our society. (50 points)

Due Date: September 6th