Year 8 English Easter Project

Designing a Dystopia Project

Over the next two weeks, you will complete a project that will require you to design your own dystopia. Complete each of the tasks in this booklet to build a complex and detailed dystopian world. If you are struggling with any of the vocabulary, there is a glossary at the end of this document you can use.

Task 1: The Downfall of a SocietySelect a modern social issue from the list below:

● Crime ● Natural disasters● Poverty● Pollution● Racism● Terrorism● War

Explain how your chosen social issue from the list above led to the collapse of your society. Did this issue result in an obviously dystopian society or the illusion of a utopia?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Task 2: The Nature of ControlSelect a method of control from the list below:

● Corporate ● Government● Military● Religion● Philosophy● Technology

Explain how the citizens of your society are controlled. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Task 3: Dystopian Features

● Propaganda used to control● Freedom and information are

restricted● Figurehead or concept is

worshipped● Constant surveillance

● Fear of the outside world● Dehumanisation● Natural world banished● Conformity ● Illusion of a utopia

Create a mind map that outlines how dystopian features appear in your society.

Task 4: The Power of SymbolsDesign a symbol for those who rule your society.

Explain how this symbol represents those who rule your society.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Design a symbol for those who rebel against those in power.

Explain how this symbol represents those who defy the ruling classes.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Task 5: A Dystopian WorldCreate visual representations of what your dystopian world looks like. The environment should reflect the social issue that caused your society to collapse.

Task 6: Dystopian CharactersCreate visual representations of the characters who inhabit your dystopian world. Consider how their clothing and appearance reflects their class and the types of environments that they inhabit.

Task 7: PropagandaCreate a propaganda poster or pamphlet distributed by the ruling power. Remember to use the symbols that you have created and propaganda techniques.

Task 8: Language is PowerCreate a song, poem or diary entry written by an individual who is rebelling against the ruling power.

You should include poetic techniques and references to all the elements of the dystopian society that you have created such as social issues, methods of control, symbols of power etc.

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Glossary Definition

Collapse To fall apart

Corporate Related to a large company/group

Dehumanisation Taking away a person’s human qualities.

Dystopia An imaginary world where there is lots of suffering.

Government A group of people put in power to control a country/state.

Illusion A false idea/belief about the world.

Philosophy A particular way of thinking.

Pollution Poisonous substances harming the environment.

Poverty Being extremely poor/not having wealth.

Propaganda Misleading information which supports a particular political point of view.

Rebel Someone who rises to oppose those in power.

Surveillance Close observation.

Symbol An image used to represent an idea.

Terrorism Immoral use of violence/intimidation to make a political point.