Dystopian Literature Unit - Dystopian Short Story Activities Dystopia VS Utopia

Enhance your dystopian short story unit, help students differentiate between dystopian vs. utopian, and supplement their reading of dystopian literature with this compelling resource! Your students will learn to analyze elements of dystopian settings, societies, and motifs with confidence!

Introduction to the Elements of Dystopian Literature

The high-interest Introduction to Dystopian Literature Slides presentation includes 40 slides outlining the dystopian literary genre, providing rich representative images, identifying traits of dystopian societies, defining the dystopian protagonist, and showcasing popular film and book trailer clips for students to view as a frame of reference. Just play the video clips and view from the presentation!

Video clips include relevant film excerpts from Matched by Ally Condie, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Eye of Minds by James Dashner, the iRobot movie trailer, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman!

Students will complete the Dystopian Literature question sheet to fill in notes and answer questions on the differences between a utopian vs. dystopian world, the types of control used for the oppression of society, the common characteristics of dystopian protagonists, and notes to stimulate a discussion on the author’s purpose.

Analyzing Dystopian Literature Excerpts

Students will use the Dystopian Detector Chart with guiding prompts to identify elements of dystopia in excerpts from popular young adult fiction. Two versions are included for differentiation!

Image Analysis Activity One

Students will apply their knowledge of dystopian settings in the high-interest Dystopian Images Analysis activity. Students will view and analyze 20 slides showcasing paintings, photos, or images that contain details or words reflecting the traits and characteristics of dystopia themes.

A teacher’s answer key is included to help you facilitate additional discussion!

Image Analysis Activity Two

An additional Dystopian Societies Image Analysis Activity is included! Students view 17 images and analyze whether the visual reflects the traits of a dystopian society.

Dystopian Short Story Analysis

Materials are provided for the analysis of dystopian elements in two popular short stories - Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s "Harrison Bergeron" and Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery!"

8 Graphic Organizers & Activities for the Analysis of Any Dystopian Text

Use the eight supplementary resources with any dystopian short story or novel that you currently teach!

This resource was recently enhanced, updated, and expanded to include more activities and dystopian short story materials!

Welcome to Dystopia includes the following resources:

• Table of Contents with resource links, teacher's notes, and pacing guide
• Elements of Dystopian Literature presentation with 40 slides providing a modern and engaging introduction
• Convenient links to relevant movie and book trailers
• Dystopia Introduction Note-Taking Handout with Answer Key
• Image Analysis Activity 1 - Characteristics of a Dystopian Society
• Image Analysis Activity 2 - Motifs and Themes in Art and Images
• Dystopian Detector Chart with Young Adult Literature Excerpts (2 versions for differentiation) along with Answer Keys
• "Harrison Bergeron" short story materials (includes a Teacher's Guide, three analysis activities, answer key, and a link to the story)
• "The Lottery" short story materials (includes a Teacher's Guide, three analysis activities, answer key, and a link to the story's text)
• Dystopia Literature Elements Handout
• Red Flag Foreshadowing Graphic Organizer
• Dystopian Societies and Means to Oppress Activity
• Short Story Literary Analysis Handout with Guiding Prompts
• Dystopian Setting as an Antagonist Handout
• Story Map: Identifying Plot Elements Handout
• Dystopia VS. Utopia (Reality vs. Perception) Graphic Organizer
• PDF Teacher's Guide with implementation notes, Google Drive resource links, directions for Microsoft Office users, and instructions on how to optionally print handouts

Students will be hooked from start to finish with the modern, diverse materials and engaging activities!

This resource supports the following Common Core Academic Anchor Standards for Reading:

Range and Level of Text Complexity

CCRA.R.10: Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.

Key Ideas and Details

CCRA.R.1: Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

Craft and Structure

CCRA.R.4: Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

CCRA.R.7: Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

See what other teachers like you are saying about this resource:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Thank you for the effort you put into creating this resource. This was my first time teaching a Dystopian unit in my classroom and I needed as many ready-to-go resources as possible. This helped introduce the unit and get the students excited!"

The Cordial Classroom

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I used this as part of my introduction to my dystopian unit and my kids were very engaged. They enjoyed the movie clips, and this part really helped reinforce the ideas of a dystopia."

Rhonda

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"This was a great intro to our unit. Students had to go read different dystopian excerpts and then refer back to what elements make it an example of dystopian literature. Much higher order thinking required."

Courtney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Absolutely loved this resource! It was highly engaging and prompted great discussion throughout the PowerPoint. Students loved the picture analysis activity! Highly recommend!"

Amy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“My kids like dystopian literature of all kinds, but it's challenging for them to understand it at times. This resource was both engaging and helpful."

Jean Z

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"This was a great resource. My students really enjoyed it, and this definitely enhanced their understanding. Thanks so much!" Krista S.

DYSTOPIAN RESOURCE BUNDLE NEWS

Interested in extending your study of dystopian literature?

Check out the following bundled Dystopian Literature resource! You can receive this product AND the Cultural Clashes Utopia vs. Dystopia Research Project at the link below:

Dystopian Literature, Novels, and Short Stories Teaching Bundle

You can find all my resources for Google Drive and Google Classroom

HERE.

.