Manipulative Power Of Language Rhetorical Analysis

College Board Standards: n
STANDARD 1
Rhetorical Analysis and Planning
Objective
W1.1 Student analyzes components of purpose, goals, audience, and genre.
STANDARD 2
Generating Content
Objectives
W2.1 Student takes inventory of what he or she knows and needs to know.
W2.2 Student generates, selects, connects, and organizes information and ideas.
STANDARD 3
Drafting
Objectives
W3.1 Student generates text to develop points within the preliminary organizational structure.
W3.2 Student makes stylistic choices with language to achieve intended effects.

Lesson: The Manipulative Power of Language
Texts (Sources): Source A: 1984 (The book) Source B: “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell http://www.orwell.ru/library/essays/politics/english/e_polit
Source C: “What Orwell Didn’t Know About the Brain, the Mind, and the Language” by George Lakoff http://semantics.uchicago.edu/kennedy/classes/sum08/myths/lakoff07.pdf Day 1: Introduction: Quickwrite on students’ own experience of manipulation (manipulating or manipulated through language) Students read and discuss in small groups “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell following a series of questions about the elements of language and aspects of language use exemplified by Orwell in the novel.
Day 2: Classwork/Quiz:

Students browse the novel 1984 (they have already read it) for examples related to the author’s assertions in the article “Politics and the English Language” and evaluate examples’ manipulative
function.

Example:
“Sexual intercourse was to be looked on as a slightly disgusting minor operation, like having an enema” (65).
Here, the narrator juxtaposes the act of sexual intercourse with the messiness and inconvenience of an anal cleansing. It is the epitome of dirty, nasty. Thus, the simile is fresh, unique, and represents absolute clarity. And, each word in the sentence has meaning “minor,” implying insignificance; “disgusting,” implying sickness; and “enema,” implying a violation of the natural order of digestion.
Dying metaphors
Meaningless Words
Assignment:
Rewrite your positive example into a negative one that violates Orwell’s rules,
Or
Rewrite your negative example into a positive one that follows one or more of his rules.
X3
The act of coitus, the intermingling of Deoxyribonucleic and Ribonucleic acids, should exist primarily to ensure the propagation of the Party by increasing the plentitude of primary members; however, the act should be construed as bounden duty, without pleasure so as to ensure absolute filial devotion to Big Brother.

Day 3: Discussion on the homework in groups and as whole class (examples from the novel related to the author’s assertions in the article “Politics and the English Language”). Reading “What Orwell Didn’t Know About the Brain, the Mind, and the Language” by George Lakoff. Small group discussions on the article’s key assertions. Elaborating an outline of the article. Share in a whole group.
Homework: Relate G. Lakoff’s key ideas to Orwell’s novel and essay on language and politics. How do Lakoff’s ideas reveal the manipulative power of language?
Day 3 cont.: Discussion in small groups on the homework. Share in whole group.
Assignment: A synthesis essay. Due: May 7/8th!!!!!!
Prompt:
In a SYNTHESIS essay, reveal the ways George Orwell applies his views on language and politics in the anti-utopian 1984 and explain whether or not you agree with the views of George Lakoff’s assertions and conclusions stated in his article “What Orwell Didn’t Know About the Brain, the Mind, and the Language.” Consider also other related sources as well as your own observations and experiences.
Typed, double-spaced. You may use all of today. Due: Wednesday/Thursday
Below is an example of an attention-grabbing opening statement.
You are gay! Now, if you believe I am calling you a homosexual, you are influenced by the cultural connotations of this happy word.

Thesis statement: Though Orwell asserts that excessive use of jargon weakens our language, I agree with Lakoff, who believes that the brain subconsciously retains powerful slogans of simplicity.