This lesson covers some contextual themes and ideas that will enhance student understanding of Orwell’s 1984. It focuses particularly on the depictions of Dystopia, Totalitarianism and propaganda but also on understanding the political spectrum, Orwell’s own experiences and how certain themes are explored in relation to AO1.

This lesson plan examines the opening chapter of 1984 and explores the ways in which the theme of oppression is established in the opening of the novel. It has a language focus; exploring the use of various devices, significance of word class, setting, symbolism and key terminology. The main task is a written response, with an exemplar opening provided. This lesson includes extracts but does not include copies of the text.

This lesson is based on an AQA resource that compares language linked to the assertion of power in O’Brian’s speech in Chapter 5 of the novel, to a speech by by Barack Obama in 2014. Their is a focus on language devices but it also brings together some of the skills explored in the first two 1984 lessons - ‘Context in 1984’ and ‘Establishing Oppression’ Part of this lesson asks students to rank order three exemplar responses. Another part of the lesson asks students to compare an extract from the novel with an extract form a modern, political speech - looking at political rhetoric and language features. There is also an extract analysis question.