Example
(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
Utopian and dystopian literature is a rapidly growing sub-genre of popular fiction. Authors often use utopias to convey a message about the world we live in today.
Dystopias are extremely flawed societies. In this genre, the setting is often a fallen society, usually occurring after a large-scale war, or other horrific event, that caused chaos in the former world. In many stories this chaos gives rise to a totalitarian government that assumes absolute control. The flaws in this sort of a dystopia are centered around oppression and restrictions on freedom by central authorities.
Have your students create storyboards where they choose a stance on the community. Is it dystopian or utopian? In the storyboard, the student can depict the elements of a utopia or dystopia, and explain their reasoning.
This storyboard uses examples from the article "Teaching Dystopia".
| ELEMENT | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|
| No Independent Thought | Dreams are suppressed through medication. |
| Oppressive Government | Elders are revered and chosen to make decisions that are best for the community. |
| Lack of Free Will | Choices are taken away from the people for fear that they cannot handle the consequences. |
| "Sameness/Uniformity" | All houses are the same, inside and out! |
| Perfect Society | Although everyone is happy, Jonas stresses that because they live in ignorance, their society is far from perfect. |
| Citizens are Under Surveillance | The Elders can listen and speak everywhere. |
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)
Type of Assignment Individual or Group
Type of Activity: Elements of Dystopia
Common Core Standards(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Use This Assignment With My Students", change the description of the assignment in your Dashboard.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the six elements of a dystopia in The Giver.
Template
(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
(Modify this basic rubric by clicking the link below. You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
Check out the rest of our Lesson Plans!
 |
 |
 |
