These 1984 project ideas extend learning and give students a variety of ways to demonstrate their skills, knowledge, and creativity.
1984 Project Ideas overview
- “Oceania the Beautiful” (lyrics / karaoke)
- Layers of Meaning: Symbol & Motif (presentation)
- Brother vs. Brotherhood: Propaganda Battle
- Novel Topics (research report)
- Theme Development (essay)
- 1985: The Party’s Over. (creative writing)
- INGSOC for KIDS (children’s book)
- Dystopia Preview (movie trailer)
- Free the Proles! (speech)
- DIY Totalitarian
- Judging a Cover by Its Book (art)
- Mapping 1984 (geography)
- Speculative Fiction (creative writing)
- Film Critique (1984 version)
1984 Projects 1-14
1. “Oceania the Beautiful” (lyrics / karaoke)
This 1984 project combines musical fun and meaningful exploration of the novel’s literary elements and devices.
Apply your understanding of Orwell’s novel by writing lyrics for a 1984-inspired song. The song must reflect a specific point of view and purpose in relation to the novel. Perhaps your composition is a national anthem praising Oceania, a protest song for The Brotherhood, a ballad from one of the characters, or something else entirely. You may want to choose a song you know and replace the lyrics (karaoke-style).
2. Layers of Meaning: Symbol & Motif (presentation)
The symbol and motif project explores what is arguably the most prominent feature in Orwell’s theme development. By having students present on different meaningful elements, you can collectively produce a comprehensive survey. Even though the glass paperweight gets all the attention, 1984 is packed with carefully crafted symbols and motifs.
Orwell uses motifs and symbols to add depth and complexity. The layers of meaning can add understanding or emotional weight. For example, the symbol of the paperweight helps us understand Winston’s private thoughts and feelings (characterization) and the fragility of the authentic and personal world he and Julia have created (theme).
Choose one symbol or motif from 1984 to analyze. Present your analysis in a polished slideshow to explain how and why Orwell adds meaning and/or importance to the element. Organize your presentation logically and include digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, or interactive elements) to add interest and aid understanding.
3. Brother vs. Brotherhood: Propaganda Battle
The Party and its Ministry of Truth use censorship and propaganda to indoctrinate (brainwash) the people of Oceania. Propagandistic messages pervade newspapers, novels, textbooks, slogans, rallies, music, fraternal organizations, and broadcasts like the Two Minutes Hate. The Brotherhood, if it actually exists at all, must rely on the secretive transmission of subversive missives.
You have been taught to be balanced, logical, unbiased, and honest when persuading others. Well, forget all that. You will take the side of Big Brother and The Ministry of Truth OR Emmanuel Goldstein and The Brotherhood and garner the support of the populace. Remember that your reasons and methods should be unfair, biased, and fallacious. You will be graded on how well you create propaganda materials for one of the sides, present your materials to the class, and explain propaganda techniques that you used.
4. Novel Topics (research report)
Write a comprehensive research report exploring one topic related to 1984 by George Orwell. Make connections to the details of the novel when appropriate. You will record formal research and write a report that includes in-text Modern Language Association citations.
Some of the topics become relevant after the book’s publication. They did not influence Orwell’s writing in 1948, but they relate to the larger context.
5. Theme Development (essay)
Obligatory 1984 theme assignment! Not exactly fun or creative, but too important to omit.
THEME ASSIGNMENT HANDOUT (PDF)
Some of Orwell’s warnings and predictions have lost relevance over time. However, his messages about surveillance, control of information, and our rights and freedoms are as crucial as ever. The author’s message is called the theme. A novel like 1984 develops multiple themes, and some themes receive more attention than others.
Select one theme subject explored in 1984 and analyze how Orwell develops the message. You will be graded on how well you identify a theme, analyze theme development (evidence from the text), and use transitions to connect the ideas.
6. 1985: The Party’s Over. (creative writing)
1984 SEQUEL / CREATIVE WRITING (PDF)
Imagine that you have been hired by the Orwell Foundation to write a sequel for 1984. It need not be set in 1985 — you could start the story immediately after the last chapter, skip ahead generations into the future, or write a prequel.
You will be graded on how well you plan out the narrative elements and write a sample chapter for that imitates Orwell’s style.
7. INGSOC for KIDS (children’s book)
This 1984 final project encourages students to brainwash children in the name of Big Brother. Proceed with caution!
1984 PROJECT: INGSOC FOR KIDS (PDF)
ATTN: MINI-TRUE EMPLOYEE 82919-06, RE: NEW ASSIGNMENT
The Party is pleased with the progress made in altering the textbooks to support INGSOC (English Socialism) and with the enthusiasm and malice being instilled through the Spies. However, the Inner Party feels that the Ministry of Truth can do more with the children in homes and Reclamation Centres that are too young to join the Spies.
As an Outer Party member working in the Ministry of Truth, you have been assigned to a new division called INGSOC for KIDS! It is your task to create a book priming children to embrace newspeak, crimestop, Thought Police surveillance, love of Big Brother, social hierarchy, the dress code, physical fitness, the war effort, and all the glorious principles of INGSOC. You might tell a typical story (e.g., Goldilocks and the Three Proles) or you might take a non-narrative approach (e.g., B is for Big Brother: The INGSOC alphabet).
8. Dystopia Preview (movie trailer)
This project works with any dystopia text as an exercise in thinking about the genre.
Many of our favorite movies start as a lone author’s idea for a short story, novella, or novel. When filmmakers turn a piece of literature into a movie, we call it an adaptation. (The telling has been adapted for a different medium.) Sometimes the original author is personally involved in making the movie and other times the author is just paid for their idea.
You will be making a film trailer (preview) to create excitement and interest for a new movie. This will be a dystopia movie set in a speculative human existence that is terrible to imagine.
9. Free the Proles! (speech)
This assignment asks students to demonstrate simultaneously their insight into the novel, their skills of persuasion/public speaking, and their understanding of propaganda techniques.
Included in the many forms of indoctrination used by the Party in 1984 are public speeches. Winston witnesses a typical example as a part of Hate Week. Later in the novel, O’Brien delivers a more intimate oratory within the walls of the Ministry of Love.
We have heard enough from the Party, Big Brother, and O’Brien. Write a speech for the resistance aimed at starting the next revolution. You will be graded on how well you develop an argument, propagandize, and use public speaking devices.
10. DIY Totalitarian
At long last, the Revolution is over. You are the undisputed leader of the victorious uprising. Your forces have crushed your enemies and silenced the critics. You hold absolute authority and possess total control. You can make the society whatever you want it to be. Will you try to make a life a utopia for all? Will you make life a dystopic nightmare for everyone but yourself?
11. Judging a Cover by Its Book (art)
This 1984 final project idea is a fun way to combine literary analysis and fine arts standards.
1984 VISUAL ARTS PROJECT (PDF)
With hundreds of editions and adaptations over the decades, 1984 has worn a wide variety of cover art. Some publications keep it simple and display little more than the title in a bold font and a giant eyeball. Other 1984 covers are packed with ideas and elements expressed in creative and inspired ways.
12. Mapping 1984 (geography)
This project moves students from a detailed understanding of 1984‘s setting to a larger speculation about the world’s political future.
In the aftermath of WWII, communist governments had been established in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and East Germany. All of these were loyal to Soviet leadership. Of course, many nations were already formal states of the USSR (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and so on).
While Orwell was writing 1984, countries concerned by the specter of Soviet domination were forming NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The twelve founding nations signed the alliance on April 4, 1949 (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.)
It is easy to see how these political developments shaped Orwell’s premise in 1984.
13. Speculative Fiction (creative writing)
SPECULATIVE FICTION WRITING PROJECT (HANDOUT)
Build on what you have learned by writing your own speculative fiction. Write an imaginative short story based on an extraordinary premise. You might focus on a limited speculation or a broad and profound vision.
You will be graded on how well you establish a clear point of view, setting, and plot and write descriptively (vivid language, imagery, and sensory details). The narrator, a character, or some other source must provide a thoughtful reflection / conclusion.
14. Film Critique (1984 version)
CONTENT ADVISORY! This film is a true 1980s R rating! The handout provides guided viewing questions leading to a larger film review writing task.
1984 FILM GUIDED VIEWING (HANDOUT)
Write a review of the 1984 film adaptation made in 1984 based on your expert knowledge of the novel 1984. As an expert on the novel, what grade (A+ to F-) would you give this movie? What did the filmmakers get right? What are the film’s shortcomings?
Thanks for visiting 1984 Project Ideas: 14 Creative Final Assignments.
If any of these projects suit your needs, consider downloading the resource. The 1984 Projects and Assignments file allows you to make changes to the handouts. Keep in mind that TeachNovels is more that final projects; the complete unit includes everything you need to teach 1984 effectively and efficiently.
1984 Projects and Assignments: Product Details
Handouts Menu:
- Theme Development (essay)
- Connecting Themes (essay)
- Layers of Meaning: Symbol & Motif (presentation)
- Novel Topics (research report)
- 1985: The Party’s Over. (creative writing)
- Propaganda Exposed! (poster gallery)
- Brother vs. Brotherhood: Propaganda Battle
- INGSOC for KIDS (children’s book)
- Free the Proles! (speech)
- DIY Totalitarian
- Mapping 1984 (geography)
- Structure: Devices & Effects (presentation)
- “Oceania the Beautiful” (lyrics / karaoke)
- Dystopia Preview (movie trailer)
- Speculative Fiction (creative writing)
- Judging a Cover by Its Book (art)
- Read-N-Share (speculative fiction)
- Film Critique (1984 version)
1984 Projects and Assignments files:
- Projects and Assignments (PDF)
- Projects and Assignments (DOCX)
- Supporting materials folder (PDF and DOCX for each handout)
NOTES:
- This resource is included in the complete unit.
- There are NO ANSWER KEYS in this resource.
- Each assignment is one page (front and back) with additional organizers as needed.
- DOCX files can be modified in MS Word or Google Docs.
- 1984 Projects and Assignments is intended for students who have finished reading the novel. For during-reading activities, check out 1984 Lesson Plans and Materials.
Tags: 1984 final project, George Orwell, 1984 handouts, Nineteen Eighty-Four project, Nineteen Eighty-Four assignment