Amusing Ourselves to Death, study guide & Activities

Amusing Ourselves to Death
by Neil Postman
About_
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman is a media theory classic that argues television has transformed
American public discourse from rational, print-based argument into entertainment-driven spectacle. Writing in
1985, Postman contrasts George Orwell’s vision of oppression through information suppression with Aldous
Huxley’s vision of oppression through information overload and pleasure. This study guide contains 91 questions
across 7 chapter sections (70 Factual + 21 Critical), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 7 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (70 total), 7 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (21 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 9-12
Teacher Note_
This study guide is designed to help your students engage deeply with Postman’s prescient arguments about
media, culture, and public discourse. By combining factual recall with open-ended critical analysis, it builds reading
comprehension while encouraging students to apply Postman’s framework to today’s digital landscape — an
exercise that saves preparation time while fostering essential media literacy skills.