Friday, October 28, 2011

Why Use Visual Aids?

If you are required to use a visual aid in your presentation, you should be glad! Visual aids can improve your presentation in many ways. They can clarify information for the audience, and help you, as the presenter, focus on the topic at hand.

Visual Aids Enhance Learning

Visual aids will make your presentation a little more interesting for the audience. It's difficult for many audience members to stay focused on a verbal presentation. Visual aids break up the monotony.

  • The visual learners in your audience are able to understand information more readily by looking at images.
  • Tactile learners will appreciate a prop that they can touch and experience. Period clothing and other cultural artifacts provide a good experience for the audience.
  • Auditory learners will enjoy hearing sound recordings that enhance your presentation. A presentation about colonial America could be enhanced by period music, for example.

Visual Aids Help the Presenter

Props and images can make you, as the presenter, feel more at ease. Many students feel more relaxed and secure when they can redirect viewers' eyes to another object.

Visual Aids can help you when you're drawing a blank. If you forget an important statistic or date (which we can do under pressure!) you can look to your poster or chart as a prompt.


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Can't Find Sources?

You've selected a great topic and you've found two fabulous sources. Research is going well, and then suddenly you hit a brick wall. You discover that the resources you've found seem to be the only ones available on your topic.

But your teacher requires five sources! What now?

There are a few steps you can take before you take the drastic step of changing your topic at a late date. Find out how to locate additional sources after the well runs dry, by using some tricks that professional researchers use.

More Resources


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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Trustworthy Sources

Research is conducted to get at the truth of a subject. As simple as that sounds, you will soon learn that the truth is often very difficult to find!

As a researcher, you will find that every question can have many possible answers and every event will be described differently by witnesses, partly because events are clouded by opinions and viewpoints. You can see evidence of this if you browse through your television news programming.

Look through your news shows and you will find programs with names like "Reliable Sources" and TV channels who make claims to be "Fair and Balanced or "The Most Trusted Name in News." You will also see that any two news organizations will report the very same event in two very different ways.

So where do you find the truth?

You have to develop a critical eye and ferret out the facts for yourself!

A person who has developed critical thinking skills will be able to discern facts from opinions and pick up on small clues that help to determine trustworthiness of sources.

Can You Trust the Source?

It can be helpful to put the topic of trustworthy sources into perspective with an exercise.

Imagine that you are walking down a neighborhood street and you come upon a disturbing scene. A man is lying on the ground with a leg wound and several paramedics and police officers are buzzing around him. A small spectator crowd has gathered, so you approach one of the bystanders to ask what happened.

"This guy was jogging down the street and a big dog came running out and attacked him."

You take a few steps and approach a woman. You ask her what happened.

"This man was trying to rob that house and a dog bit him."

Now you don't know what to believe!

Two different people have given different accounts of an event. To get closer to the truth, you have to find out if either person is connected to the event in any way. You soon discover that the man is a friend of the bite victim. You also realize that the woman is the dog's owner. Now what do you believe? It's probably time to find a third source of information-and one who is not a stakeholder in this scene.

What Is a Stakeholder?

In the scene described above, both the man and the woman providing the reports have a big stake in the outcome of this event. If the police determine that an innocent jogger was attacked by a dog, the dog's owner is subject to fines and further legal trouble.

If the police determine that the apparent jogger was actually involved in illegal and dangerous pursuits at the time he was bitten, the wounded man faces penalty--and the woman is off the hook.

If you were a news reporter, you would have to determine whom to trust by digging deeper and making an assessment about every source of information. You would have to collect details and determine if your many sources were trustworthy, or if they were clouded by distortion. And distortion can stem from many causes:

  • Stakeholders' ambitions
  • Preconceived beliefs
  • Political designs
  • Prejudice
  • Sloppy research

So What Is a Reliable Source?

It is nearly impossible, after an event has occurred, to determine the exactness of every detail. Every recounting of an event involves points of view and opinion to some degree. The best sources will provide a consensus view and identify all information providers. The following statements should help you determine the trustworthiness of your sources:

  • Every writer, lecturer, reporter, and teacher has an opinion.

  • The most reliable sources are straightforward about how and why they are reporting.

  • An Internet article that provides news but does not provide a list of sources is not very trustworthy. (The article you are reading supplies advice as opposed to news.)

  • Anybody can publish on the Internet.

  • Internet publishers can be dishonest about their identity.

  • An Internet article that provides a list of sources for a newsy article is more trustworthy.

  • An Internet article that is published by a reputable research organization or a respected professor at a reputable university and provides sources is even more trustworthy.

  • Any source is more trustworthy if the author and the publisher are easily identifiable and it is clear that the author and the publisher are not driven by profit.

  • Books are generally considered more trustworthy than the Internet because books are stable and unchanging. An online article can be edited at any given moment, while a book is published as a whole at a specific, identifiable time and date.

  • Books are generally considered more trustworthy because the author and publisher are clearly stated and they are held responsible. When a book publisher publishes a book, that publisher takes responsibility for its truthfulness.

  • News organizations are businesses.

  • Cable news, radio shows, and other media sources must make a profit. If you use these as sources, you must consider their many stakeholders and political slants.

  • Fiction is made up-so fiction is not a good source of information.

  • Movies are fiction. Even movies based on real events are fiction.

  • Memoirs and autobiographies are nonfiction-but they contain a single person's point of view and opinions. If you use an autobiography as a source, you must acknowledge that the information is one-sided!

  • A nonfiction book that provides a bibliography of sources is more trustworthy than a book that does not.

  • A book published by a profit-making company has a stake in the success and the popularity of the book. This profit-making potential can cause a book to be more scandalous and more sensational--and less truthful.

  • An article that is published in a scholarly journal is usually scrutinized for accuracy by the publisher. A publisher-especially a university press--has a reputation to protect.

  • Some sources are "peer reviewed." These books and articles go before a panel of non-stakeholding professionals for review and assessment. This body of professionals act as a small jury to determine truthfulness. Peer-reviewed articles are very trustworthy.

Scholarly research is a quest for truth. Your job as a researcher is to use the most trustworthy sources to find the most accurate information. Your job also involves using a variety of sources, to reduce the chances that you are relying on tainted, opinion-filled evidence.


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Test Mistakes

1. Leaving an answer blank.

There is nothing wrong with skipping over a tough question to give yourself some extra time to think it over--just as long as you remember to go back to the question later. The danger is forgetting to go back to every question you’ve skipped. A blank answer is always a wrong answer!

Solution: Each time you skip a question, put a check mark beside it.

2. Answering a question twice.

You’d be surprised how many times students choose two answers in multiple choice. This makes both answers wrong!

Solution: Review your work and make sure each true/false and multiple choice question only has one answer circled!

3. Transferring answers incorrectly from scratch paper.

The most frustrating mistake for math students is having an answer correct on the scratch paper, but transferring it wrong to the test!

Solution: Double check any work you transfer from a scratch sheet.

4. Circling the wrong multiple choice answer.

This is a costly mistake, but one that is very easy to make. You look over all the multiple choice answers and pick the one that is correct, but you circle the letter next to the correct answer—the one that doesn’t match your answer!

Solution: Make sure the letter/answer you indicate is the one you really mean to select.

5. Studying the wrong chapter.

Whenever you have a test coming up, make sure that you understand which chapters or lectures the test will cover. There are times when a teacher will test you on a specific chapter that is never discussed in class. On the other hand, the teacher’s lectures may cover three chapters, and the test may cover only one of those chapters. When that happens, you can end up studying material that won’t appear on your exam.

Solution: Always ask the teacher what chapters and lectures will be covered on a test.

6. Ignoring the clock.

One of the most common errors students commit when taking an essay test is failing to manage time. This is how you end up in a panic with 5 minutes to go and 5 unanswered questions staring back at you.

Solution: Always take the first few moments of an exam to assess the situation when it comes to essay questions and answers. Give yourself a time schedule and stick to it. Give yourself a set amount of time to outline and answer each essay question and stick to your plan!

7. Not following directions.

If the teacher says “compare” and you “define,” you are going to lose points on your answer. There are certain directional words that you should understand and follow when you take a test.

Solution: Know the following directional words:

  • Define: Provide a definition.
  • Explain: Provide an answer that gives a complete overview or clear description of the problem and solution for a particular question.
  • Analyze: Take apart a concept or a process, and explain it step by step.
  • Contrast: Show differences.
  • Compare: Show likenesses and differences.
  • Diagram: Explain and draw a chart or other visual to illustrate your points.
  • Outline: Provide an explanation with headings and subheadings.

8. Thinking too much.

It’s easy to over-think a question and begin to doubt yourself. If you tend to second-guess yourself, you will inevitably change a right answer to a wrong answer.

Solution: If you are a thinker who tends to over-think, and you get a strong hunch when you first read an answer, go with it. Limit your thinking time if you know you tend to doubt your first instincts.

9. Technological breakdown.

If your pen runs out of ink and you can’t complete an exam, your blank answers are just as wrong as they would have been for any other reason. Running out of ink or breaking your pencil lead halfway through a test sometimes means leaving half your exam blank. And that leads to an F.

Solution: Always bring extra supplies to an exam.

10. Not putting name on test.

There are times when failing to put your name on a test will result in a failing grade. This can happen when the test administrator doesn’t know the students, or when the teacher/administrator won’t see students again after the test is over (like at the end of a school year). In these special situations (or even if you have a very stern teacher) a test that doesn’t have a name attached to it will be tossed out.

Solution: Always write your name on a test before you get started!


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"Revisiting" for Test Prep

I've read many studies about the brain and memory, and one thing that seems clear is the importance of "revisiting" material for a memory boost. Revisiting in test preparation means studying a topic one day, setting it aside for a day or two, and then going back to it.

The studies show that you learn the most when you study, step away, and then return to information a few times.

This finding reinforces the importance of starting early when it comes to preparing for a test. You don't have to start early and study constantly. You should start early, study a few hours, close the book, and repeat after a day or two.


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Friday, October 21, 2011

Wrong Word Right Word Quiz

Test Your Word Knowledge

This quiz will test your knowledge of the most commonly-confused words. If you're ready to build your communication skills, this quiz can help. Just test your word knowledge and check your score. If you missed any words, you can study the words and take the test again in a few days!

Wrong Word Right Word Quiz

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Reaction Papers

You may be asked to write a reaction paper in response to reading a book, watching a film, or examining a work of art. This reaction (or response) paper should contain a mix of your own analysis and a summary of your impressions and opinions.

Reaction papers are typically written in the first person and should, therefore, include expressions as "I think" and "I believe" in the text.

The reaction paper can challenge students who prefer to work with clear guidelines and precise expectations. It may help some students to think of a reaction paper as a letter to a friend--a descriptive letter that contains an introduction to the subject (book, poem, or other work) and all your honest thoughts and impressions about it.

Some students will benefit from reading an example of a reaction paper.


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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Speech Writing Tips

Are you nervous about an upcoming speech? If you are, you can manage your nerves a little better by getting to the root cause of your fear.

Imagine that you're about to give your speech, and then figure out what it is that you fear. Are you afraid that you'll freeze up in front of people? Worried about asserting yourself? Are you afraid that people will be bored stiff? Figure out what issue is really causing your stress, and then write your speech to address your biggest fear.

For example, if you're afraid that you will freeze up in front of people, you will want to build lots of visual markers into your speech notes. Segment your speech so that you have guideposts. Then hold a pencil in your hand, and mark of your guideposts as you progress.

And if you are afraid that people will get bored, you must work hard on your introduction to make it so entertaining and / or fascinating that people will be enthused from the start. It's a little calming when your audience is engaged and interested. And when you're calm you're more in charge.

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Write a Limerick

You might need to write a limerick for an assignment, or you may want to learn the art just for fun or to impress a friend. Limericks are fun--they usually have a bit of a twist and a perhaps a silly element. And best of all, they can be a great way to express how clever and creative you can be!

A limerick contains five lines. In this mini-poem, the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. Here is an example:

There once was a student named Dwight,
Who slept only three hours a night.
He dozed in the classroom
And snoozed in the bathroom,
So Dwight’s college options are slight.

There is also a certain rhythm to a limerick that makes it unique. The meter, or the number of beats (stressed syllables) per lines, is 3,3,2,2,3. For example, in the second line, the three stressed points are slept, three, and night.

The syllabification is (usually) 8,8,5,5,8, but there is some variation in this. In the limerick above, there are actually 6 syllables in the third and fourth lines.

To write your own limerick, begin with a person and/or a place. Make sure that one or both of them are easy to rhyme. For your first try, start with “there once was” and finish the first line with five more syllables. Example: There once was a boy from Cancun.

Now think of a feature or an event and write a line that ends in a word that rhymes with Cancun, such as: Whose eyes were as round as the moon.

Next, skip to the fifth line, which will be the final line that includes the twist or punch line. What are some of your rhyming word choices? There are many.

  • Balloon
  • Raccoon
  • Spoon
  • maroon

Try to think up something funny or clever to say and write a line that will end with one of your rhyming words. (You will find that the two short lines in the middle are easy to come up with. You can work on those last.)

Here is one possible result:

There once was a boy from Cancun,
Whose eyes were as round as the moon.
That wasn’t so bad,
But the nose that he had
Was as long and as flat as a spoon.

Have fun!


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Saturday, October 8, 2011

Sentence Problems

Sentences are made when we string words together to convey a complete thought. There are some types of sentence errors that occur more frequently than others. It's important to know the most common types of errors and to avoid them in your writing.

1. The Comma Splice

Some say the comma splice is the most common type of sentence error, but that should be good news for you! The comma splice is an error that is easy to identify and fix. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (clauses that could be sentences on their own) are jammed together with a comma.

2. Rambling Sentences

Rambling or run-on sentences are sentences that contain several clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions such as: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, and so. A rambling sentence may appear to follow the technical rules of grammar in places, but the sentence as a whole is wrong because it rambles.

3. Sentences That Are Not Parallel

One portion of the SAT writing test requires students to find and improve poorly-written sentences. It’s important for students to know what problems appear frequently within these sentences, in order to improve their chances of scoring well. One common sentence problem involves non-parallel structure.

4. Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a statement that cannot stand alone as a sentence, even though it might look like it should be able to. A sentence fragment may be lacking a subject, a verb, or both. It might even contain words that look like subjects and verbs.

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Rambling Sentences

Rambling or run-on sentences are sentences that contain several clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions such as: and, or, but, yet, for, nor, and so.

A rambling sentence may appear to follow the technical rules of grammar in places, but the sentence as a whole is wrong because it rambles.

I was happy to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding, but I was very embarrassed when I stumbled in the middle of the ceremony, for when I recovered, I looked up and saw my sister and I thought she was going to faint, because I could see her standing in the doorway waiting to begin her own walk down the aisle, and her face was all white, she looked like she was going to throw up.

Much of this looks correct, because the various clauses are connected correctly (except one comma splice). Don’t hesitate to break up sentences that ramble:

I was happy to walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding. However, I was very embarrassed when I stumbled in the middle of the ceremony--especially when I recovered. I looked up and saw my sister and I thought she was going to faint. I could see her standing in the doorway, waiting to begin her own walk down the aisle. Her face was all white and she looked like she was going to throw up!


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Microsoft Word Shortcuts and Tricks

Did you know that you can press CTRL + ] and increase your font size by one point?

There are lots of shortcuts and tricks you can use when typing your paper in Microsoft Word. Have you ever tried to find the command for a hanging indent for a bibliography? It always seems to be in a strange place.

You can actually create the hanging indent by highlighting your text and pressing CTRL + T. You might be able to write your paper much faster by learning these Microsoft Word shortcuts.

Photo by Tom Denham


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Friday, October 7, 2011

No More Hand-Raising?

A few schools in the U.K. have decided to put a stop to an age-old tradition. Children in these schools are prohibited from raising hands when they have a question or a comment. Instead, students are asked to do a "thumbs-up" gesture when asking to speak.

Educators decided that hand-raising can be disruptive, and one teacher suggested that the act of raising hands might put off some less aggressive students by requiring them to "put their ideas forward in a forceful way." It's true that some students can get a little overly enthusiastic with their excited hand-waving.

What do you think? Is a thumbs up better than a hands up?


View the original article here

Monday, October 3, 2011

Passive Voice

Students hear a lot about passive voice, but sometimes it takes them awhile to understand what makes a verb passive or active. To figure this out, students must concentrate on the subject and the verb of a sentence.

In active voice, the subject is performing the action (doing the verb). In the following sentences the verbs are in active voice.

Rob hit the baseball pretty hard.
John broke my favorite dish.
Laura took my beach towel.
Stephanie ate the entire pie.

Observe that the verb is in the passive voice in each sentence below. Notice that the subject is not acting; instead the subject is being acted upon.

The baseball was hit pretty hard.
My favorite dish was broken by John.
My beach towel was taken.
The entire pie was eaten by Stephanie.

Notice that the verbs in passive voice are preceded by “was,” which is a form of “be.” One way to recognize passive voice is to look for a form of “be” preceding the verb.

The pickle was eaten.
The pickle is eaten.
The pickle will be eaten.
The pickle has been eaten.
The pickle had been eaten.
The pickle will have been eaten.

The sentences above all make it very clear that a pickle is, was, or will be eaten—but we cannot tell from these sentences who is actually eating. The phrases leave us wondering a little, and that is why teachers don’t like to see too much passive voice in your writing.

Passive voice tends to be vague, while active voice is direct and clear.


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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Field Trip Rules

Field trip days are often the best days of the entire school year. Most students look forward to this day for weeks or months! That's why it is important that you mind some basic rules to keep the trip safe and enjoyable.

For a Safe Field Trip

Don't get reckless on the bus. You don't want your day to end early, do you? Misbehavior on the bus can get you into trouble and ruin your day. You could end up sitting on the bus while the others enjoy the destination.

Don't wander off. Listen carefully when the teacher gives instructions about sticking with the group or sticking with an assigned partner-even when going to the restroom. Don't ever wander off on your own, or your trip could end badly. If you break this rule, you could end up with the teacher as your partner!

Respect the chaperones. You should respect any chaperones and listen to them as you would your own teacher or parents. Chaperones have a big responsibility, watching after so many students at one time. They can't afford to give too much attention to one "squeaky wheel," so they will probably be intolerant to distractions. Don't be disruptive.

Respect nature. Some field trips will take you into contact with animals or plants. For your own safety, be mindful of potential dangers and don't assume you can tug, pull, tease, or touch things safely.

Don't roughhouse. You may visit a factory containing equipments with moving parts, or a museum with rooms full of pottery and glass, or a riverside with fast-running water. Kids don't always think about the dangers that come with certain places, so think about the potential hazards before you go, and remember not to push or pull on friends.

Keep an eye on the clock. If you are supposed to meet your group for lunch or for loading onto the bus, you should keep an eye on the time. You don't want to miss lunch, and you surely don't want to be left behind.

For a Fun Field Trip

Arrive in plenty of time to get on the bus. You don't want to miss the fun day because you ran into heavy traffic. Plan ahead and leave early.

Eat and drink in designated places. Don't assume you can buy a soda from a machine and drink it anywhere. Your destination site might have strict limitations when it comes to drinking or eating on site.

Dress for hot and cold. If it's a warm day, it could be really cold inside a building. If it's cold outside, it could be steamy inside! Try to dress in layers so you can add and subtract as necessary.

Don't litter. You can be banned from some locations for this. Don't be sent back to the bus!

Bring comfort items for the ride. If you are facing a long bus ride, ask if you can bring a pillow or small cover for comfort.

For a Smart Field Trip

Bring along a small recording device or a notebook-because you know there will be a follow-up assignment or quiz.

Pay attention to any speakers. If your teacher has arranged a speaker, and if a speaker takes time out of his/her day to share wisdom with you, don't ignore it! This trip is for your education. Oh-and there probably will be a quiz.


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Primary Sources


Have you ever read a diary? If so, you have already consulted a primary source. This type of source is a valuable tool to get the researcher as close to the original thoughts or events as possible.

If you really want to make your research project stand out, it’s a good idea to take the necessary time to find a good primary source that reflects something relevant to your topic.

Most primary sources are unpublished materials, although they don’t have to be. A letter, memoir, or even some government records are all examples.

Several libraries have “special collections” or archives where they keep just such records. But sometimes, you don’t have to go that far. Primary sources can also show up in your grandmother’s attic!

Here’s an example of a primary source that would make your research project zing. Imagine that you’re doing a research paper on “Women in the Vietnam War.” Do you have a relative who served? If so, you may find a diary or letter in your family collections that reflect the feelings of women who went—or even those who stayed at home, worrying about a loved one.

That letter would make a great contribution to your paper! But you don’t have to worry if your family didn’t write things down. If you know someone who had a relevant experience, you can interview that person. The interview would be considered as a relevant source, sometimes called an oral history.

No matter what topic you choose, you’ll improve your paper with diverse sources. A first-hand account from your elders would likely enhance your paper and your grade!


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Brave New World

Title Author and Publication:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was published in 1932 by Harper & Brothers of New York.

Setting:

Brave New World is set primarily in London of 2540 AD, though a portion of the novel transpires in the New Mexico Savage Reservation. The world is now governed as one state. This futuristic setting is home to a very technologically advanced society in which people are engineered to be born as members of one of five different castes. The technology utilized in this society plays a very significant role in the novel.

Main Characters:

John the Savage, considered an outsider to the World State. Born on the reservation to a citizen who became lost there during a visit, John is the ultimate example of the alienated man. He can not fit into the life of the Indians on the reservation, nor can he assimilate into the dehumanizing society of the State.
Bernard Marx, an alpha male who does not quite measure up to the standards of his class. Bernard wants more than anything to belong and he strives to bury his feelings of inadequacy and difference.
Helmholtz Watson, also an alpha male who seems a misfit to society, but because of his superior ability. Helmholtz is a philosopher and deep thinker who would like to have more meaning in his life than the shallow world he occupies will allow.
Mustapha Mond, one of the World Controllers and a very powerful man who sold out his beliefs in science and advancement to save himself from exile. Linda, John’s mother, Linda desires more than anything a return to the life she once knew as a member of the World State.

Plot:

Brave New World begins as a futuristic story of a Utopian society. As the story unfolds and the true nature of this ‘ideal society’ is revealed, it looks less and less appealing.

The story really begins with Bernard Marx’s discovery of John the Savage and his mother, Linda, on the reservation. John’s celebrity and the scandalous nature of his birth are used by Marx to guarantee his safety and to give him the popularity he craves. The degree to which people have had their humanity stripped from them causes John great distress and he must eventually find a way to reconcile the world as it is with his own ideals.

Ultimately all the characters of the novel are forced to either assimilate or to accept exile from the World State. Each character must examine their value systems and their consciences in order to come to terms with the events of the story.

Symbols

Symbols are objects, people or ideas which represent an abstract concept. Consider the importance of the following symbols as you read the novel.

Soma, the drug used to supply happiness to the population
Fordism, the new religion of society
Shakespeare, the works of which are often quoted by John
The Class System, society is divided into 5 castes, the highest being the most intelligent and the lowest the least intelligent.

Questions to Ponder:

Consider these questions as you read the novel. The topics will help you form a thesis for your report.

Relating to the thematic idea of technology vs. humanity:

  • Soma is said to provide happiness to the people. What is its larger purpose?
  • In what ways does the state control the individual?
  • Would you like to live in Huxley’s Brave New World? Why or why not?
  • Why is consumerism so important to the state?

Examine the idea of Man’s need to belong.

  • How do the different characters interpret the idea of belonging and to what lengths are they willing to go to achieve it?
  • What role does religion play in the world Huxley draws?
  • How has human sexuality changed and what is its fundamental purpose?

Beginning Sentences for Your Report:

If you have trouble getting started, you can consider the following suggestions to get you started.

”What is happiness?”
“A real Utopian society is only possible in theory.”
“Without individuality, society stagnates.”
“Freedom always has its price.”


View the original article here