What We Fear Today

Worksheet Description

This Sustained Research worksheet introduces the concept of a dystopia and assigns students the task of researching modern dystopian novels written in the last 10 to 20 years. Students are expected to read three such novels and analyze what these stories have in common. The assignment also requires students to delve into the subject matter of these novels to understand their context and the fears they reflect about contemporary society. Finally, they must synthesize the messages of the novels and write a paper discussing how these stories represent the greatest fears of our time, supporting their analysis with textual evidence.

The worksheet aims to teach students critical thinking and analytical skills through the study of literature, specifically modern dystopian novels. It encourages them to make connections between the themes of the novels and the societal issues they reflect. The assignment also develops research skills by having students explore the context and implications of the novels’ subjects. Lastly, it enhances writing and argumentation abilities by guiding students to create a paper that integrates their research and readings with a clear argument supported by evidence from the texts.