Politics and the English Language Lesson Plan

Writing Parodies

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Students will translate famous quotes into the "modern style" Orwell describes to study its effects on meaning.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.10

Structure:

In this activity, students will do the opposite of what they did in "Orwell Makeovers." Instead of simplifying and clarifying obscure passages, they will turn clear, direct quotes into the modern writing Orwell is railing against. Have students return to Orwell's parody translation of Ecclesiastes and its explanation. They should make...