1984 New Concepts Presentations

Tomorrow, your group will be making a brief presentation to the rest of the class regarding the conclusions you have reached about your "Orwellian" concept.

The purpose of the presentation is NOT to simply read the poster you have made; if people want detailed support in understanding the concept, they can read your work -- that's what it's for.

Instead, your goal is to communicate the significance of the concept to the themes of the novel and its importance to understanding the meaning of Orwell's work. The author created this brand new, fictional concept so that he could draw attention to something extremely important about how societies worked at the time -- and how they might work in the future.

As you present,

1. Begin by defining the term. (This is the part you can read out loud)

2. Next, each person needs to explain a way in which the concept supports our understanding of the novel or its themes. People can give examples and evidence of:
A.  how this concept gives insight into the way government exerts its power
B.  how this concept shows (or implies) the potential power of the individual
C.  how this gives insight into the internal struggles faced by people in authoritarian societies
D.  how this describes the external conflicts and limitations faced by people in authoritarian societies

EACH PERSON JUST PICKS ONE.

Here is an example of what might be presented:

DUCKSPEAK is, literally, speaking in a way reminiscent of the quacking of a duck. This is a metaphor for the incessant parroting of loyal party propaganda without conscious thought. 

A. At one point, Winston sees a man engaged in dusckspeak and realizes that the man is not a "real human being but some kind of dummy." Orwell is using this idea to show that authoritarian governments use communication not as a way of expressing ideas and encouraging thought, but as a way to demonstrate and demand obedience. They don't want you to think -- they want you to conform.

How will you be evaluated?

1. To what extent are you prepared to present your ideas to the class? are you clear, fluent, and organized?
2. To what extent to you demonstrate understanding of the use of the idea in the novel?
3. Do you provide a clear, accurate, individual insight into the novel's themes or conflicts?