American Dream?

What do we have to be worried about?

Using George Orwell to analyze an idea.

Project Set 1

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the primary and secondary forms of information in regards to past and present arguments surrounding the magnet of the American Dream mythology with an Orwellian twist. You will be asked to investigate and to analyze multiple forms of informational discourse both from the novels and other outside resources. This is a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem, and it factors cultural, religious, societal motivations in terms of analyzing historical and current events. The learning outcome of this assignment is to generate college level papers exhibiting critical thought and analysis.

Timeline:

Feb 26-Mar 2: Begin Review of content

Mar 4-16: . Discussion Boards & Journals.

March 14: American Dream essay due.

Mar 15-23: Discussion Boards & Journals.

March 28: : Novel essay due.

*Monitor emails for any schedule changes.

General Directions

Prewriting research journals & discussion boards. Why?

Analyzing Information Sources:

Journaling is an important skill. People often write without really thinking about what they want to write about. Journaling can get you to remember certain things, and it can be a way to develop and gather key paragraphs to be included in your final paper. For this project, I’m asking for at least a paragraph each unless otherwise directed. (Typed or handwritten) One of the things about a paper like the American Dream Essay is that it is actually being developed within certain contexts. Remember, there is a historical context to this paper. We are actually living in a time period that will become a notation in an actual history book someday. You can get information from a variety of sources. These are some examples. Government sources are very nice, but they can be dry. Review the charts and graphs carefully too. US Census reports are also very interesting if analyzed correctly. They can be very revealing. Magazine and newspaper articles can be helpful. Of course, people are using online blogs as well, but this requires due diligence. Interviewing a person can also be very useful. Oral history is a very important resource. Even a general search for a home purchase can tell you many things. Remember, do not just read; analyze it. Finding examples of Orwell’s key ideas will require some thought and analysis as well. Do not throw them away. You never know if the material could be used later. Journaling is an important skill for research paper development, as well as other projects.

Step 1: Journal/Discussion Directions

If directed, read the materials that are posted online. For news media, you can watch the news on TV, review newspapers or online news outlets. Be very careful in your selection. Information is now getting the full 1984 treatment by various leaders.

Unless otherwise directed, compose a one paragraph response. 2 sentences don’t count as a paragraph. Try to keep the documentation source recorded in some manner for your own reference.

If you find something that you wish to follow up, type it up and store in an essay folder. It is useful to execute cut and paste work.

Do not trash the files. Develop a habit of archiving all your work.

Step 2: Essay Directions

Based upon your journals and discussions, construct an essay that responds to the prompt. You are encouraged to use the result of your journaling to be included as part of the essay. The essay will have to be completed in the Modern Language Association typing format. It will be evaluated using El Camino’s grading lexicon which has been slightly modified by me. Read the directions carefully.

Note

Essays will be turned in as hard copies.

Mega point journals are also hard copies.

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American Dream Set

Journals

Set 1: American Dream

Turn in Mega Point Journal:

Interview transcript: Interview someone who has achieved the American Dream, or not achieved the American Dream. (Important: this will be used as part of your essay.)

Discussion Board Journals:

Go to Canvas and respond to the various discussion topics posted. Be aware that some new posts might be uploaded as a continuation of class discussion.

American Dream Essay 1

2 Page Essay

The American Dream—Definition/Process/Example paper

Given today’s circumstances, how realistic is this idea called the American Dream? Is the American Dream real, or is it a myth? Try to use examples such as interviews and other forms of outside information to back up your position.

Core things to get you started:

Define it. What do you think it is?
Interview someone who has successfully obtained what you would consider to be the American Dream. This could be an elder, a neighborhood elder or someone successful. Find out what it took for them to be successful and achieve their American Dream. Transcribe the interview first. Write down their story in a narrative format. Be sure to insert content from the interview into the paper. (Alternate: Interview someone who has completely failed.)
Compare their history with what is going on today. What does it take to make the American Dream a reality in today’s economy? What do you have to do to make this a reality?
Is it a myth or a reality? Explain.

Be careful. Although it might seem simple, this topic requires some thought. First, do you have a definition of what the American Dream is? One defined, how do you achieve it? Consider this paper to be like a self-help guide to success for those less fortunate.

Note: You must include elements of an interview in this essay.

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Novel Essay Set

Select an option

Turn in Mega Point Journal

After reviewing 1984 or Brave New World, do you see versions of this is real life today?

Do you see it in science fiction films today? Arts? Music?
Do you see evidence of this in today's world? For example, in contemporary leaders today?

Discussion Board Journals:

Go to Canvas and respond to the various discussion topics posted. Be aware that some new posts might be uploaded as a continuation of class discussion.

Novel Essay Prompts

2 Page Essay

Select an option.

Option 1

George Orwell’s vision—Literary Analysis/Sociology/Political Science (2 pages)

Read 1984 by George Orwell. Respond to ONE of the prompts below:

1984 is a novel which focuses heavily upon privacy and the use of technology to monitor the activities of the citizens. Using the novel as a source for definitions, please review the state of privacy in America today. Is Big Brother watching you?
1984 focuses on the idea of information control. If you can control the past, you can control the future. You can also confuse the public by making things meaningless using propaganda. Using the novel as a starting point, do you see evidence of information manipulation in America? Is the Grand American Narrative being rewritten? Why?
Do you see 1984 elements in contemporary art today? For example, do you see the ideas in 1984 being portrayed in films like the Hunger Games, or in music like Pink Floyd’s The Wall? Explain the connections.

Option 2

Aldus Huxley’s vision—Literary Analysis/Sociology/Political Science (2 pages)

Read Brave New World by Aldus Huxley. Respond to ONE of the prompts below:

Brave New World is a novel that focuses heavily on the use of Soma. Are there examples of this use of drugs and other distractions to keep the population happy even if it is a form of fake happiness? Refer to the concept of state sponsored addiction.
Brave New World has a character called John Savage. Education is important to him. Today, do you think people read enough, or are they like the others in the novel? Are we getting dumb and impulsive like the people of Brave New World that he hated?
Do you see Brave New World elements in contemporary art today? For example, do you see the ideas in Brave New World being portrayed in films like the Idiocracy, or in music like Green Day’s American Idiot? Explain the connections.

***Note: You must actually cite the novel at least once, and citing Sparknotes or Wikipedia is not acceptable.

Submission Requirements:

MLA format

All pre-write materials and rough drafts need to be included.

Word Count: 500 words for each essay.

Note: Include a Works Cited page and parenthetical citation using the novel.

Research Resources

El Camino Compton Library

Orientation to be scheduled.

Language Lab Requirement

You must have a tutor sign off on your paper. This can be in the Language Lab in the FWing.

How to do this project

Focus on the topics.
Research. Find out everything about it. Make sure you keep a record of the source. Do not just browse without analysis. If it is an Internet website, find multiple sites to corroborate the information. Use books.
Draft the paper. Have a friend peer edit the text.
Turn the paper in with the necessary materials.

Patterns

Sample Basic Format

Directions: A very basic 5 paragraph pattern contains about 5 sentences per paragraph in a 5 paragraph pattern. Think of a 5/5 ratio to begin.

Introduction

A: Hook. An interesting fact, quotation, story,

Thesis (The main controlling idea of the essay. Plug in key words or concepts that you want to address.
Set up the points you want to hit in sequence. Point 1, 2, 3.
Transition into the rest of the paper. Try to indicate what you intend to examine first.

Body (Point 1)
Remember the topic sentences. For example, the topic sentence for the 2^nd paragraph could start out focusing on the process.
Expand the thread.
Remember to have transitions to the next paragraph.

III. Body (Point 2)

Repeat what you did in Body Paragraph 1.
Remember that with paragraphs, each topic sentence introduces a point. So, this paragraph should be pushing an additional point or an additional stage in the process. It should follow the pattern that you set up in the introduction.

Body (Point 3)
Repeat what you did in the previous body paragraphs.
For the most part, how you string the bulk of the paragraphs is up to you. Remember that this is not a 5 paragraph essay format. You must expand your ideas.

Conclusion.
When you hit all the points (Get an education; earn a good wage or develop a good career; buy a house), then you can digest all of the information and create your own assessment. Remember, you are evaluating how things are.
Generally, this is a restatement of what your conclusions are.

1984 Sample Pattern Sheet

Directions: Remember, this requires you to read the book and to analyze the main character. This is not a summary of the book. You can make notes to yourself below each item to help you to plan out your approach.

Introduction

A: Hook. An interesting fact, quotation, story. You can quote an interesting line from the book. Cite a definition from Orwell. Include page number.
Thesis. Tie your thoughts about the concept from the novel and how does it tie into things you want to discuss. Create a hypothesis.
What issues do you think are the main issues? List the issues in sequence: 1, 2, 3. This sequence should define the pattern of your body paragraphs.
Transition into the rest of the paper. Try to indicate what you intend to examine first.