Description
Manipulation of Truth is a key theme in George Orwell’s 1984 and a valuable lesson to explore with students, especially as it relates to social media! Teach students to identify common elements of media literacy and apply these concepts to their own social media analysis.
Included with this Media Literacy and 1984 Lesson and Activity:
- Media Literacy Slideshow Lesson – Google Slides®, Microsoft PowerPoint®, and PDF
- Define key concepts and explore common elements of media literacy, including censorship, propaganda, fake news, echo chambers, and more
- Explore a framework that can be applied to any media source in order to analyze credibility
- Practice media literacy by analyzing an example of a social media post
- Media Literacy Informational Handout – Digital & Print
- Five-Step Framework Handout for Analyzing Media Sources – Digital & Print
- Media Literacy Concepts Graphic Organizer – Digital & Print
- Social Media Analysis Evaluation Framework – Digital & Print
- Media Literacy Discussion Prompts – Digital & Print
- Social Media Analysis Reflection Questions – Digital & Print
- Detailed Answer Keys
- Teacher Instructions for using this resource
How to use this Media Literacy and 1984 Lesson:
In this lesson, students will learn about the common elements of media literacy and 1984 while exploring a framework that can be applied to any media source. By analyzing different types of media, students will gain the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the vast amount of information they encounter daily. With the rise of misinformation, bias, and propaganda in modern media, it is essential to equip students with the tools to evaluate credibility, identify manipulation tactics, and understand the broader implications of media consumption. This lesson bridges the gap between literature and real-world media literacy by drawing connections between the control of information in 1984 and the challenges of evaluating media in the digital age. Students will put their media literacy skills into practice by analyzing a social media source of their choice, reinforcing their ability to think critically about the media they consume.
You can start with the Media Literacy Slideshow Lesson, which introduces students to the fundamental concepts of media literacy and 1984 and provides them with a framework for evaluating media sources. This lesson covers key topics such as censorship, propaganda, disinformation, echo chambers, media bias, and digital literacy, helping students understand how these concepts shape their perception of reality. The slideshow demonstrates how to apply a structured evaluation process to any media source, ensuring students develop a critical lens when engaging with information. To illustrate this process, the framework is applied to an example social media post, guiding students through the steps of decoding online content and identifying credibility markers. By linking these concepts to Orwell’s warnings in 1984, students will recognize the importance of questioning the information they encounter and the consequences of unchecked media control.
To reinforce student learning, a Media Literacy Informational Handout has been included. This resource serves as a reference guide, allowing students to revisit key definitions and concepts covered in the slideshow. Whether used as a study tool or a quick refresher, this handout ensures that students have a solid understanding of the foundational principles of media literacy and 1984. Alternatively, students can complete the Media Literacy Concepts Graphic Organizer, which encourages them to actively process the information from the slideshow. By organizing their thoughts and summarizing key ideas, students will strengthen their ability to critically evaluate media sources while making meaningful connections between Orwell’s dystopian vision and today’s media landscape.
Students can then apply their knowledge from the slideshow lesson by analyzing a social media post of their choice. This hands-on activity challenges students to critically examine a real-world example, using the principles of media literacy and 1984 to assess credibility, bias, and potential manipulation. The Social Media Analysis Evaluation Framework provides students with a structured approach to breaking down their selected media source. Through guided prompts, students will evaluate the post’s source reliability, factual accuracy, persuasive techniques, and potential biases, drawing direct comparisons between Orwell’s depiction of information control in 1984 and the media strategies used in the modern digital era. By engaging with this activity, students will strengthen their ability to think independently, resist manipulation, and make informed decisions about the media they consume.
To expand on this lesson, extension activities have also been included, allowing students to deepen their understanding of media literacy and 1984. These activities include Discussion Questions and Reflection Prompts, which encourage students to analyze the intersection between Orwell’s dystopian warnings and today’s media environment. Questions such as “How does the concept of Newspeak in 1984 relate to modern social media algorithms?” or “In what ways do governments or corporations use propaganda today, and how does it compare to the Party’s tactics in 1984?” prompt students to draw insightful connections between literature and real-world media practices. These discussions foster critical thinking and encourage students to consider the ethical implications of media control, censorship, and digital surveillance in their own lives. By integrating literature with real-world media analysis, this lesson ensures that students develop a strong foundation in media literacy while engaging deeply with the themes of Orwell’s novel.
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⭒ For classrooms utilizing Google Classroom® ⭒
To access the digital version of these worksheets, simply follow the instructions within the resource to copy the files directly to your Google Drive®.
