Due Tuesday, July 5th at 11:59PM MST

1984, George Orwell

1. Read George Orwell's 1984 (through Part One, Section I, page 20).* You are welcome to read more if you: have time, get into a rhythm, love this novel (and can't get enough), hate this novel (and want to finish reading it as quickly as possible), or can't stand stopping on a "cliff hanger."

*1984 is divided into three parts labelled "One," "Two," and "Three" and each of those parts is divided further by sections identified with roman numerals (though the first section in all three parts is unlabeled). This structure of identification becomes rather important in Part Two, section IX, where we are presented with a "book within a book." I'll try to indicate the Part and Section as well as page numbers for each reading assignment to help those of you using different editions.

2. Record your close reading video focusing on a short passage from the reading assignment, and then post your video on the Small Group: 1984, Orwell (Week 8) discussion board.

Due Thursday, July 7th at 11:59PM MST

Politics in the English Language

1. Read George Orwell’s 1984 (through Part One, Section V, page 64).**

If you haven’t already, please read the “Appendix” referenced on page 4 of the novel. If you can’t find the Appendix in your edition, or even more fascinating, if it isn’t there, let me know and I'll scan a copy for you.

2. Read George Orwell’s essay "Politics and the English Language."

After you've read Orwell's essay, post your response on the Class Discussion: Politics in the English Language (Week 8) discussion board. Your post should be at least 300-400 words, roughly one page double-spaced.

You can use one of the following prompts to guide your response post, or post your own response topic (what did you find interesting, compelling, problematic, frustrating, etc.).

Consider the six "rules" Orwell outlines on page 119 of his essay. Can you find one sentence from the essay, 1984 (including the Appendix), or the paper you just submitted for this class that "breaks the rules?" Tell us what rule you think was broken and how you respond to that. Do you think it was a good choice to break the rule? How do you justify that claim? Do you think the sentence could be improved by bringing it more in line with Orwell's rules?
Can you relate newspeak, as presented to us in the reading assignment (Part One, Section V and/or the Appendix) to Orwell's commentary on the English language in his essay (first published in 1946)? Be specific and tell us how you see them as similar or different.

Due Friday, July 8th at 11:59PM MST

1984, George Orwell

1. Return to your group's Small Group: 1984, Orwell (Week 8) discussion board and watch your classmates’ videos.

2. Respond to at least two (2) of your group members' videos. Your responses should be at least 50-100 words each.

Due Sunday, July 10th at 11:59PM MST

Politics in the English Language Response

1. Return to the Class Discussion: Politics in the English Language (Week 8) discussion board and read your fellow students' posts.

2. Respond to at least two (2) of your fellow students' posts. What do you find interesting about their post? Using examples from the reading, can you find other ways to support their claims? Or do you have a counterargument to their response? Your responses should be at least 50-100 words each.

Move on: Summary Page Week 9: July 11 - 17