What Common Characteristics Do Dystopias Share?

Just as utopian societies in literature share commonalities, so do dystopias. In this lesson, you will conduct research on dystopian literature and characteristics of dystopias so that you have an understanding of the genre.

Benchmark:

11.9.2.2 - Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to make informed decisions and solve problems.

Learning Target

I can integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats to make informed decisions.

Essential Question

What are the characteristics common to dystopian societies?

What you’ll need:

Digital device with internet access

One class period

Resources

1. TOR.COM: Science Fiction. Fantasy. The Universe

“Dystopian Fiction: An Introduction^[2]

John Joseph Adams, April 11, 2011

2. Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics^[3]

Activity

In this activity, you will use the resources linked, as well as two additional resources that you locate, to develop a stronger understanding of dystopian societies. What features do many of them share? What features are less common? What are the settings and situations in dystopias? Your task is to search for answers to these types of questions.

After or while researching, complete an alphabetic taxonomy, a tool that will prompt you to think broadly about the topic. Record characteristics of and information about dystopian literature in the appropriate row. You will have multiple entries to correspond with most letters. Your end goal is to use this taxonomy to develop a definition of dystopian literature. Keep a copy of your taxonomy, but submit a second copy to the ePortfolio.

Example: Taxonomy for the Civil War

abolitionists favored abolishment of slavery

antebellum: term referring to a period before war

armies: there were 16 Union armies and 23 Confederate armies

border states: Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri. Although these states did not officially join the Confederacy, many of their citizens supported the South.

brigade: a large group of soldiers, usually led by a brigadier general. A brigade was made of four- to - six regiments. 1 company = 50-100 men; 10 companies = 1 regiment; 4 regiments = brigade; 2-5 brigades = 1 division; 2 or more divisions = corps; 1 or more corps = army.

campaign: A series of military operations that form a distinct phase of War (such as the Shenandoah Valley Campaign).

commutation: Stipulation adopted by both the Union and Confederate governments which allowed certain draftees to pay a fee in order to avoid military service. Because the fee was higher than the average worker’s annual salary, this provision angered less wealthy citizens on both sides of the war.

Creative Commons License This page from English Language Arts 11 by MN Partnership for Collaborative Curriculum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

[1] Image by Geralt via Pixabay

[2] Adams, John J. "Dystopian Fiction: An Introduction." Tor.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2014.

[3] (n.d.): n. pag. Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics. Readwritethink.org. Web.