39 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2016
    1. Even though the story took place many years ago, you get the idea that parts of it could happen today, in any town where people distrust and fear each other's differences.

      CONNECTION: To today. How could Orwell's novel connect to today's world? Are things different? Are they similar? How can you summarize this for your review?

      Check out this video review for 1984 and see which pieces are similar or different to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIsdDgiaecQ

    2. The larger theme of the story is about racial intolerance, but Scout never tries to make it a "lesson," it's simply part of the world she describes

      Here the reviewer marks the most important theme of the book and why it is important? What do you feel is the most important theme of "1984"? Why? Jot down some possible themes to discuss in your review.

    3. The trial of the wrongly accused Tom Robinson takes place during the time of segregation, when black people were not allowed to socialize with white people. In that era, when a white man said a black man committed a crime, the black man was presumed to be guilty. The law required that they have a trial, but everybody knew the defendant was going to be convicted. Atticus Finch, the quiet hero of the book, tries to persuade the jury that bigotry is wrong. His words are eloquent and heartfelt. He demonstrates that Tom Robinson couldn't possibly have assaulted the victim. Atticus even reveals the identity of the real villain, which enrages a very dangerous enemy. This act of courage endangers not only Atticus Finch but his family as well. They become the target of hate mongers and bigots.

      Main summary of the novel. What are the important themes? What are the important moments? Remember not to spoil the ending! Let's talk about what the strongest moments of the novel are and how they add to the overall strength of the book.

    4. To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with interesting characters like Dill, and Scout makes them all seem just as real as the people in your own hometown. Here's how Scout describes Miss Caroline, who wore a red–striped dress: "She looked and smelled like a peppermint drop."

      Highlights characters that are important to the story. Also highlights one of the major pros of the book. Think about what the strongest parts of the book are. Is it the characters? The setting? The genre?

    5. The mystery about Boo Radley is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in To Kill a Mockingbird.

      This is one of the draws of the book. How does the reviewer try to persuade you to read this book? How might you persuade someone? Think about some ways that the book intrigued you. How might you write about those?

    6. because her voice rings so clear and true. Not only does she make me see the things she sees, she makes me feel the things she feels.

      Strong connection to the book. This character lets the reader into the story within the story. Is there a character that did this for you in "1984"? Was there anyone who helped explain the events going on? Jot down who you were most connected with or could understand the most. Why was that?

    7. The story of how the whole town reacted to the trial is told by the lawyer's daughter, Scout, who remembers exactly what it was like to be eight years old in 1935, in Maycomb, Alabama.

      Identification of the narrator/main character. How does this change the story? What perspective is the story told from? Think about what it means to have a male narrator versus a female narrator. Think about whether it makes a difference if he's old or young.

    8. I've never been to Alabama, but novelist Harper Lee made me feel as if I had been there in the long, hot summer of 1935

      The reviewer makes a personal connection to the story to show how the writer emphasizes the setting. How does Orwell set the scene for "1984"? What types of words or comparisons does he make? Jot some ideas down to refer to later.

    1. The purposes of the review are: • to define and limit the problem you are working on • to place your study in an historical perspective • to avoid unnecessary duplication • to evaluate promising research methods • to relate your findings to previous knowledge and suggest further research

      Purpose of your writing is to identify the problem (the point of your review) and identify connections between work and life.

    2. • compare and contrast different authors' views on an issue • group authors who draw similar conclusions • criticise aspects of methodology • note areas in which authors are in disagreement • highlight exemplary studies • highlight gaps in research • show how your study relates to previous studies • show how your study relates to the literature in general • conclude by summarising what the literature says

      Review do most or all of these if possible

    3. The aim of a literature review is to show your reader (your tutor) that you have read, and have a good grasp of, the main published work concerning a particular topic or question in your field.

      You want to show that you have read and comprehended what the literature was about. How do you go about doing this?

    1. emphasizing authority and religion.

      Two major themes of utopian genre

    2. The utopia (eutopia, dystopia, or utopian satire), defined as a species of prose fiction that describes in some detail a non-existent society located in time and space,

      Dystopian or Utopian fiction describes an almost perfect society in time and space.

    1. Tuberculosis became the reason of Orwell’s demise on January 21, 1950.

      Died soon after finishing 1984. Did TB play a role at all in his writing?

    2. Strongly opinionated and impartial to his subject, Orwell wrote his mind in a way that still seems contemporary.

      His opinions were felt throughout his works. How did they play into 1984?

    3. volunteered to fight in the Spanish Civil War for the Republicans where he was shot in the neck and had to flee for his life.

      Fought in another war, injured, and fled for his life.

    4. Similarly Down and Out in Paris and London (1933) was an account of his life in poverty after leaving Burma

      Life played a huge role in shaping his works

    5. the Indian Imperial Army in Burma but resigned a few years later with immense hatred for imperialism.

      Joined army in Burma but disagreed with politics so he resigned

    6. an avid follower of politics who voiced his intense dislike against totalitarianism

      Clearly, Orwell was very passionate and involved in politics. This had a heavy hand in the type of government he created in his novel, as well as his critiques of it.

  2. Nov 2016
    1. This is one of Orwell's exceedingly rare references to the theme of his book.

      Much of this review makes connections between what Orwell went through and how those things affected his writing. There are many connections to be made and the influence they ultimately had. Dealing with death, TB, and other things.

    2. Apart from pop-culture renditions of some of the novel's themes, aspects of its language have been leapt upon by libertarians to describe the curtailment of freedom in the real world by politicians and officials - alarmingly, nowhere and never more often than in contemporary Britain.

      Why is this novel important? It's themes of censorship and freedom are timeless.

    3. The circumstances surrounding the writing of Nineteen Eighty-Four make a haunting narrative that helps to explain the bleakness of Orwell's dystopia

      Instead of discussing the events of the book, this review actually delves into Orwell's personal life for background and connections to the real world

    4. Orwell's title remains a mystery.

      Talks about things that were never discussed within the story

    5. people watching the Big Brother series

      Link to outside connections

    6. The effect of Nineteen Eighty-Four on our cultural and linguistic landscape has not been limited to either the film adaptation starring John Hurt and Richard Burton, with its Nazi-esque rallies and chilling soundtrack, nor the earlier one with Michael Redgrave and Edmond O'Brien.

      Talks about effects of the novel

    7. whose terms such as "Big Brother", "doublethink" and "newspeak"

      Pulls terms from the book in order to use as evidence

    8. But when you see the original manuscript, you find something else: not so much the ringing clarity, more the obsessive rewriting, in different inks, that betrays the extraordinary turmoil behind its composition.

      This is speaking directly to the audience. Mostly written towards those who enjoy this novel and those who have already written. It, however, points to something not talked about often: THE DREADED REWRITE.

    9. The Observer The masterpiece that killed George Orwell

      Already the writer is drawing in readers. The title is interesting and mysterious.

  3. Sep 2016
  4. www.poetryfoundation.org www.poetryfoundation.org
    1. Annabel Lee

      Repeating Annabel Lee's name in this way makes me hear it almost as a chant. The speaker repeats it over and over again to bring attention to her name. It's important. She's important.

    2. In this kingdom by the sea

      This image is repeated throughout the poem. In my head, I'm visualizing a large sand castle built by the ocean and the speaker and Annabel Lee walking around within it. What does this image signify to the reader? Why wouldn't Poe put them in a house?

    3. I was a child and she was a child,

      What can you infer from this statement? Why do you think this might be important to the story? Do you think Poe is inferring that the subjects of the poem were not actually in love or is there some deeper meaning?

    1. “Oh, wait, you like the Red Sox?! No thank you!”

      Oh, wait, you disagree with me? Get outta here. This would never work.

      With the digital age, we're more connected, yet QUICKER to push away someone who doesn't share our every interest. How does this affect our chances of finding a suitable mate? What does this mean for the world outside dating? Does it affect how we interact with friends, family, coworkers, etc?

    2. The first woman he clicked on was very beautiful, with a witty profile page, a good job and lots of shared interests, including a love of sports. After looking the page over for a minute or so, Derek said, “Well, she looks O.K. I’m just gonna keep looking for a while.”

      In a world where dating has turned into shopping, it's funny to see this opinion put in print. There are so many options, yet, he continues to look. It's all about casting a WIDE net.

  5. Nov 2015
    1. Digital citizenship is far more than digital literacy, just as 21st-century skills encompass much more than simply “skills.”Digit

      Digital citizenship involves outside forces that make it a whole. For example, the article cites transforming yourself into someone who can use the internet effectively (researching, monitoring, and empowering others). It is much more than just having the skills, it is about using them.

      (Jess & Stephanie)

    1. Sure, we can place a tablet in the hands of children who have never seen a package label or a sign, and they will learn on their own. But what happens when and if those children become connected to the larger, global online community?

      This is a great question because while it is great to give each child a device, we sometimes forget what comes after that. Being a digital "native" means that they are born into this world and know nothing different. This is dangerous because the kids still need guidance (what is a reliable source, what is appropriate, etc.).

      (Jess & Stephanie)

    1. Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use.

      We think this is a good definition of what digital citizenship should be. If you take citizenship on its own, it is about how you relate to other people (how you treat them, contributing to society, and social norms). By applying this to the digital world, one can see that it is very similar. Digital citizenship is about how you relate to other people online and the appropriateness of the interactions. (Jess & Stephanie)

  6. Oct 2015
    1. Authors' names are present and contact info is left for each of them. Their credentials are also left. This site seems geared towards educators so there is a chance I will find something useful here. The site was revised in the last 6 months and all links work. I think this is a good resource for everyone.