1. Real-Life Utopias INFORMATIONAL ESSAY ASSIGNMENT STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR WRITING AN EXCELLENT PAPER

2. The base represents the attention grabbing opening sentence. This sentence should be a general or broad idea that is related to your essay topic. The center of the pyramid contains more specific information: defining key terms, brief overview of the novel or subject. As the pyramid narrows, lead into the thesis statement with a solid transitional sentence. The point of the pyramid represents the last sentence in your intro. the thesis statement. Introductions: The Inverted Pyramid Style

3. Writing a Hook:  “I never know how to start an intro. How do I write an attention grabber?”  “I’m so bad at writing attention grabbers!”  “My 8 th grade teacher told me to start my essays with a definition from Webster's dictionary.”  “I’m just going to Google a random quote.” There are a number of ways to begin a introduction. Opening sentence should be constructed in such a way that relates to the overall essay topic.  A personal story or anecdote  Descriptive language and imagery  A metaphor, analogy or unexpected comparison  A dilemma or unexpected revelation  Thought provoking statement  State an important theme from class  Address an essential question

4. Avoid Clichéd Hooks: “Imagine a place that’s perfect…” “Perfection does not exist, therefore perfect societies do not exist.” “Everyone’s definition of perfection is different…” “A utopia is defined as….. (dictionary.com)” “Brave New World is a utopia that is really a dystopia.” Perfection is a basic human desire that is sought after on a regular basis. This desire for perfection is what leads to the creation of utopian communities. Alexander Pope wrote, “To err is human; to forgive, divine,” in his 1711 poem, “An Essay on Criticism”(Pope). Criticism is the one thing that prevents and advances humanity’s quest for utopia. Cracks in a fortress are always present; however, they are more than just a blunder in the creation. These cracks ultimately lead to the destruction of the fortress. Similarly, a utopia is… To strive for perfection is to strive for failure. While one's idea of perfection may include happiness from having multiple sexual partners—as depicted in Huxley’s Brave New World—another person might believe perfection is abstinence—just as the Shakers believed.

5. Some Suggested Hook Topics Illusion of utopia Familiarity, what aspects does our society share with your examples Popularity of the dystopian genre Dystopian author's purpose. Warning to the reader about an aspect in society.

6. Writing a Thesis Statement Lead into Thesis with a Transition Sentence The illusion of a perfect society is represented in Oceania and (Real Life Utopia). Oceania and (Real Life Utopia) are illusions of perfect utopian worlds. Arguments will be different for everyone depending on the dystopian traits you select… The illusion of utopia is destroyed since (dystopian trait for the Oceania), and (dystopian trait for real life utopia) The utopia evolves into dystopia because (dystopian trait for the Oceania), and(dystopian trait for real life utopia)

7. Some Thesis Samples… Rank each one, from best to worst. Think about why you like one more than the others. Oceania and the city of Dubai fail at being utopias because the natural world is banished, and there is constant surveillance within society. It is quite evident that a utopia changes into a dystopia when there is no individuality, and power lies in the hands of a few individuals or a government without any representation from the people. A utopia could fail for a variety of reasons. In the case of Oceania, and the Family, outsiders question the group’s values, and the members desire greater independence, and freedom. Utopian ideals are exemplified in the World State and the Twin Oaks Community. In both cases, the utopia turns into a dystopia because the leaders dehumanize the citizens.

8. The World State Real Life Utopia Body Paragraph One: How are the citizens of Oceania convinced that they live in a utopia? Body Paragraph Two: What dystopian characteristic does Oceania exhibit? Body Paragraph Three: How does the leader of a real life utopia convince members that they live in a utopia? Body Paragraph Four: What dystopian characteristic does the real life utopia exhibit? Outlining Body Paragraphs

9. Body Paragraphs Should Include… Topic sentence that relates to argument in thesis State the example from the story, or research Build a sentence around quoted material, with citation at the end of sentence Follow-up analysis that proves thesis (2 sentences for every one sentences devoted to summary) Transition sentence

10. Follow-Up Analysis Example Thesis: The illusion of a perfect society is destroyed since the citizens must conform to uniform expectations and worship a corrupt leader. Topic Sentence: George and Hazel Bergeron believe they live in a utopia since conformity has made everyone equal in the year 2081. Quoted Material: Equality is achieved through the “unceasing vigilance of the agents of the United States Handicapper General” (Vonnegut). People like George and Harrison Bergeron wear complex handicaps to prevent them from “taking an unfair advantage of their brains” (Vonnegut). Analysis proves thesis: While a handicap is generally viewed as something negative, the citizens accept this as the only way to ensure fairness and equality. In the year 2081, perfection is achieved through mediocrity. Being average makes everyone feel content with his or her place in society. With a population of citizens who are physically and mentally limited, the leaders have the freedom to rule as they see fit, without the threat of gifted individuals challenging the system. Transition: As long as people like George and Hazel conform to uniform expectation and believe the illusion of utopia, they will never see that the world they live in is actually a dystopia.

11. Follow-Up Analysis Example Thesis: The illusion of a perfect society is destroyed since the citizens must conform to uniform expectations and worship a corrupt leader. Topic Sentence: Through a complex system of conformity, the Handicapper Generals succeed in convincing people like the Bergeron's that the dystopia they are living in is truly utopia. Quoted Material: One of the distinguishing characteristics of dystopian literature is that the “citizens must conform to uniform expectations” and that individuality is seen as a threat (“Dystopias: Definitions and Characteristics”). Analysis proves thesis: With such aggressive means of handicapping citizens, diversity and uniqueness has been abolished. One cannot hope for a better future since no one has the ability to see beyond the present state of average-ness. Quoted Material: The opportunity for change is lost when Harrison Bergeron says “Even as I stand here… watch me become what I can become!”(Vonnegut) After he sheds his handicaps Harrison is killed by the Handicapper General. Analysis proves thesis: The threat to the stability of the society has been eradicated, and the viewers are too distracted to remember what they’ve seen. Life continues for the Bergerons, even as their gifted son is executed on T.V. Transition: If the Handicapper General succeeds because the citizens believe they live in a utopia, there must also be examples in reality of people living in similar ignorance.

12. AVOID TRY THIS When you begin your follow-up analysis, avoid repetitive and boring sentence starters. X This quote proves… X As you can see… X In this situation, it proves … X “Harrison Bergeron” tells how... X This quote from Brave New World says... X I picked this quote because… Refer to the actions, statements, and feelings of the characters. Bernard’s actions are significant because… Huxley’s warning shows that... This situation proves... The critic believes that... In other words, the poet is... The author warns us that… The character’s actions show… Use Interesting Sentence Starters

13. Concluding Your Essay: The Base The base represents the last sentence of your essay that should leave an impact on the reader. Review your main points, without repeat everything you wrote. Refer back to the hook you used in your introduction. Lead into your final thoughts regarding the topic. The point represents the first sentence of the conclusion, and should remind reader of your thesis statement.

14. Why do we Neglect Conclusions? When procrastinating, the writer is racing to finish the essay and does the bare minimum in terms of ending the writing piece. The reader, in this case the teacher, wants to finish reading quickly in order to assign a grade and move on; therefore ignores the conclusion. That's all folks... the essay stops here! Conclusion should leave the reader with a clear understanding of the importance of your topic. Review your main points, but don't summarize everything you wrote. Take a more personal approach and discuss how this process changed your thinking. Reveal to the reader the significance of studying dystopian literature.

15. Why do we Neglect Conclusions? Someone told you to restate the thesis and introduction, so there is nothing new in the conclusion anyway. In the publishing world of journalism, the final paragraphs are often cut off completely, to make room for more advertising space. Why should the reader care about your topic? What is the most important thing the reader should take away from your essay? End with a cliffhanger; now that you've explored this topic, what do you want to further investigate. Take a risk, this is the LAST thing I will read, so make it memorable—what sort of grade do you want? End the paper with A+ quality writing.

16. Important Dates 3/31 & 4/1: Library for research 4/1 end: Graphic Organizer is due 4/4: Intro. due 4/5:Body 1 due 4/6: Body 2 due 4/7: Body 3 due 4/8: Body 4 due 4/11: Rough draft w/ Works Cited 4/13: Final paper due Upload to www.turnitin.comwww.turnitin.com

17. Back Yard Utopias  Owl House & Camel Yard - South Africa Helen Martins (1898–1976)  Bottle Village - Simi Valley, California Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey (1896–1988)  The Forevertron - Baraboo, Wisconsin Dr. 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

18. 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

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

20. Other Topics… E-Book: Utopias in American History  http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/reader.aspx?isbn=9781598840537&id=UTAMHI1E.1 You’ll need H-H library applications log-on info if using from home http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/reader.aspx?isbn=9781598840537&id=UTAMHI1E.1 “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 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 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 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23757738