New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Emulating the opening to Orwell's '1984'

I can emulate Orwell's dystopian opening to '1984'.

New
New
Year 11
Eduqas

Emulating the opening to Orwell's '1984'

I can emulate Orwell's dystopian opening to '1984'.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In order to emulate the opening of Orwell's '1984', you might start with a small detail that doesn't fit with reality.
  2. Using a semantic field of unpleasantness can create an unsettling atmosphere.
  3. You might create the sensation of physical discomfort.
  4. You might progress ideas so that the level of discomfort builds in the reader.
  5. Releasing details about a dystopia slowly can build an unsettling sensation.

Common misconception

Starting with a vivid description of the character's pain is a great way to hook a reader.

While beginning with a vivid description of pain can add an element of shock, it often doesn't leave the reader anywhere to go emotionally. It might be more effective to leave vivid descriptions of pain for the climax of a text.

Keywords

  • Emulate - match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

  • Unsettling - causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

  • Dystopian - relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice

It would be useful to read or reread the opening of Orwell's '1984' before this lesson.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are synonyms for cold?
sweltering
Correct answer: biting
Correct answer: frigid
stifling
Q2.
'A group of words or expressions that are related in meaning' is the definition of a ...
Correct Answer: semantic field
Q3.
'Relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice' is the definition of a ...
Correct Answer: dystopian, dystopia
Q4.
Orwell opens '1984' with the image of clocks striking ...
Correct Answer: thirteen, 13
Q5.
'A feeling of being uncomfortable physically or mentally' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Correct Answer: discomfort
Q6.
To describe something as 'coarse' suggests which of the following?
it is smooth
Correct answer: it is rough
it is expensive

6 Questions

Q1.
'Causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing' is the definition of which word beginning with 'u'?
Correct Answer: unsettling, unsettled
Q2.
Why would the phrase 'sharp stab of agony' not emulate Orwell's opening of '1984'?
it uses sibilance rather than plosive sounds
Correct answer: it suggests pain rather than discomfort
it isn't realistic enough
Q3.
'To match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'.
Correct Answer: emulate
Q4.
Which of the following words creates an unsettling atmosphere?
balmy
Correct answer: bleak
placid
Q5.
Which of these quotations is the final progression of the idea of Winston being monitored in Orwell's '1984'?
"It was the police patron, snooping into people’s windows"
Correct answer: "they could plug into your wire whenever they wanted to"
"Big Brother is watching you"
Q6.
Match the example from Orwell with the toolkit idea.
Correct Answer:"vile", "cold", "gritty",semantic field of unpleasantness

semantic field of unpleasantness

Correct Answer:"coarse soap", "blunt razor",suggest feelings of discomfort to the reader

suggest feelings of discomfort to the reader

Correct Answer:"follow" to "every movement scrutinized",progress and build ideas to build discomfort

progress and build ideas to build discomfort