Real-Life Utopias

1. Informational Essay Assignment Real-Life Utopias

2. Assignment Objectives • Conduct research in order to define a utopia and dystopia • Apply what you know about dystopian literature and make connections between an established utopia • Cite evidence to support your argument • Practice informational writing skills

3. Dystopian Literature As we’ve learned dystopian literature presents a world of oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society. This is achieved by various means. Consult dystopian characteristics chart for more ideas. • Review examples from Brave New World

4. The Task Now that we’ve read about a dystopia, is it possible for one to exist in real life? The World State succeeds because the citizens believe they live in a utopia, could we be victims of the same ignorance? Do real life utopias exist, and are they truly dystopias?

5. The Process • We will begin the second step, outlining examples of how the characters in BNW define their utopia, and what makes it dystopian.

6. Essay Requirements • Introduction: • Research-based definition of utopia and dystopia. • Thesis proves why a utopia changes into a dystopia. • Body paragraph one: • Prove how the Controllers convinces the citizens of the World State that they live in a utopia. • Need quoted passages of support and analysis. • Body paragraph two: • In what ways is the World State really a dystopia, based on the traits studied in class. • Need quoted passages of support and analysis.

7. Essay Requirements • Body paragraph three: • Research a real life utopian community. How do they define their personal utopia. • Include quoted passages of support and analysis. • Body paragraph four: • Show how the vision of a real life utopia evolves into a dystopia based on dystopian traits. • Include quoted passages of support and analysis. • Conclusion should be thought provoking, and relate to themes we have studied this semester.

8. Writing a Thesis Statement • Everyone will begin the thesis in a similar way: • The illusion of a perfect society is represented in the World State and ____. • The World State and ____ are illusions of perfect utopian worlds.

9. Writing a Thesis Statement • The arguments will be different for everyone depending on the dystopian traits you select… • The illusion of utopia is destroyed since the citizens live a dehumanized life and worship a corrupt leader. • The utopia evolves into dystopia because the citizens must conform to uniform expectations, and the outside world is distrusted. • Your arguments can change after you do some research! It’s ok! 

10. Outlining Body Paragraph One: • Topic Sentence should remind reader of thesis statement and answer this question: • How do the World Controllers convince citizens of the World State that they live in a utopia? • Find a quote to support this idea. Write down, include the citation. • Explain to the reader, in 4 sentences how the quote relates to the idea of illusion of utopia.

11. Outlining Body Paragraph Two: • Topic Sentence should remind reader of the argument used in the thesis statement and answer this question: • In what way is the World State really a dystopia? • Find a second quote to support this idea, write it down and cite it. • Explain to the reader, in 4 sentences how the quote relates to the argument used in thesis about dystopia.

12. Important Dates • Mon 10/21: Library for research • Tues 10/22: Library for research and writing • Wed 10/23: F-217 for writing • (2nd period laptop cart) • Tues 10/29: Library for writing • Wed 10/30: Peer editing in class • Thurs 10/31: Final Draft is due

13. Back Yard Utopias • Owl House & Camel Yard - South Africa Helen Martins (1898–1976)  • Bottle Village - Simi Valley, CaliforniaTressa "Grandma" Prisbrey (1896–1988)  • The Forevertron - Baraboo, WisconsinDr. Evermor, born 1938  • Palais Ideál - Hauterives, France Ferdinand Cheval, 1836–1924 • Paradise Garden - Summerville, Georgia, Howard Finster, 1916–2001  • Pasaquan - Columbus, Georgia Eddie Owens Martin(1908–1986) • Salvation Mountain - Slab City, California Leonard Knight, born 1931  • Rock Garden - Chandigarh, India  Nek Chand, born 1924 • Watts Towers - Los Angles, California, Simon Rodia (1879–1965) • Windmill Park - Lucama, North Carolina Vollis Simpson, born 1919 http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/offthemap/html/travelogue_menu.htm

14. American Utopias • Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania • New Harmony, Indiana • Brook Farm, Massachusetts • The Oneida Community, New York • The Amana Colonies, Iowa • Lomaland, California • The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony, California • Drop City, Colorado • Twin Oaks, Virginia • Jonestown, Guyana http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/10/history-american-utopia-oped-utopia08-cx_ml_0410america_slide.html

15. Eight Modern Utopias • Arcosanti, Arizona • Crystal Waters, Australia • The EcoVillage,N.Y. • The Farm, Tennesse • Findhorn Foundation And Community, Scotland • Twin Oaks Community, Virginia • Toyosato, A YamagishiVillage, Japan • ZEGG, Belzig, Germany http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/10/enviromental-utopias-communities-oped-utopia08-cx_ee_0410ecotopia_slide.html

16. Other Topics… • E-Book: Utopias in American History • http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/reader.aspx?isbn=9781598840537&id=UTAMHI1E.1You’ll need H-H library applications log-on info if using from home • “Bio Credits Charles Manson's Terrible Rise To Right Place And Time” • http://www.npr.org/2013/09/18/223463616/bio-credits-mansons-terrible-rise-to-right-place-and-time • “Silicon Valley Trailer Park Residents Fight To Stay” • http://www.npr.org/2013/10/15/227807022/silicon-valley-trailer-park-residents-fight-to-stay • “The Dark Side of Dubai, United Arab Emirates” • http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html • “Tomorrow's cities: Just how smart is Songdo? South Korea?” • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23757738