LA RETHORIQUE DE LA MANIPULATION (dossier Lumni après connection à Eduthèque ou via l’ENT)
Listen to the book while reading
WHAT IS A UTOPIAN OR DYSTOPIAN WORLD ?
You are going to read several excerpts from dystopian novels.
The following guidelines will help you understand the author’s vision of society and his message to the readers.
You’ll study each document filling in this blank file (in word format to be reproduced) that you will then use to decypher what a dystopia is.
NARRATION | aspects and elements to be studied and message conveyed – all are meaningful ! |
environment
when & where |
in the past / now / near or remote future
desert / sea / island / town / countryside |
characters
characterization
&
relationships |
humans / robots / hubots / AI / animals
viewpoint and focalization /language and absence of language sameness vs uniqueness / (no) personal feelings / (no) colours or symbolic colours and shapes for better or for worse / (gender) roles within family structure equal sharing of work and chores roles within the group / society collective identity for common good |
PLOT
and/or origin of the change |
Good vs Evil
greed vs solidarity murder mystery survival of the fittest / genetic engineering / rebellion or revolution / tradition vs modernity apocalypse or restoration |
WHO has
POWER & CONTROL
OVER WHO and HOW |
social & political systems
a God or godlike figure the EYE vs the I the individual vs the group basic freedoms : where is the limit ? power : a matter of knowledge ? money ? physical strength ? looks ? gender ? ruling vs manipulating > propaganda education & free information vs mind-control & brainwashing censorship over and surveillance through language / sounds & pictures / the media / new tech violence vs tolerance / role of religion or absence of religion / beliefs |
use of literary devices and their effects | LANGUAGE REFLECTS THE WORLD we live in
|
transposition
on screen |
use of colours and shapes
impact of audio+ video dimensions focus & viewpoint > use of camera angles |
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FINAL TASK : DEBATING IN A TV SHOW
We are to participate in a TV Talk Show on ABC. The show presenter will interview 4 or 5 American citizens, with sometimes opposite ideas, on how they view Trump’s presidency and next presidential agenda. Major issues such as basic freedoms, gender equality, health care and media power are at stake. The interview will be broadcast live!
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You are going to use the many different aspects of what you have learnt on dystopia to prepare your Final Task. You will voice your personal opinion on President Trump’s way of governing the US and what has changed since his election or may change if he is re-elected. They are many protests against and controversies about what he does and who he is.
If you are the show presenter prepare your questions around the following aspects of Trump’s policy:
- basic freedoms
- gender equality
- health care
- media power
If you are a participant, prepare your final task following these steps :
- First choose who you are (a teen or a midle-aged or a senior ?), your occupation and social background.
- Second choose your side FOR or AGAINST.
- Third determine which aspects of Trump’s policy you want to focus on.
- Fourth prepare your arguments (around 10) to answer the presenter’s questions.