Utopia/Dystopia Final Paper
Grade 10 Common Core Informative / Explanatory Writing Task
Over the past two weeks we have explored the causes of dystopia in fiction and nonfiction. In a well-organized
essay, explain how utopias become dystopias over time. Note 1-4 common causes of dystopia between the
various fiction and nonfiction texts we reviewed in class. You must use evidence from these texts to support
your ideas.
List of Fiction used in class:
 Lord of the Flies by William Golding
 “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
 “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
 Wall-E (2008)
List of Nonfiction used in class:
 “Utopias and Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics” by Junius Wright (ReadWriteThink.org)
 “Dystopian Elements and Characteristics—Basic Building Blocks of Dystopia” by UtopiaandDystopia.com
 “4 Utopian Communities That Didn’t Pan Out” by Pearson et al
***PAPER REQUIREMENTS***
Your paper must answer the essential guiding question: What causes utopia to fall apart?
 To answer the essential question, you must use evidence from a minimum of two fiction sources
and two nonfiction sources (text options listed above), for a total of four sources. How you
organize the use of your sources in your paper is up to you.
 For full points, you must reference texts using quotes and cite them (list page numbers) at least
twice in your paper. Your other two textual references may be paraphrased, however be sure to
cite them after the portion of text you paraphrase.
 Because you are citing more than one source, you must include the author’s last name wherever
possible during in-text citations. Note that the punctuation for English papers usually goes AFTER
the citation. For example:
o In chapter four, Ralph tries to explain the gravity of the situation when he keeps repeating
to Jack, “There was a ship” (Golding 64).
 In-text movie citations include the copyright year. For example:
o At the beginning of the movie, Wall-E, Wall-E asks Eve what her “directive” is (Wall-E 2008).
 Use the fiction/nonfiction list above as a reference point for all citations. If you are unsure how to
cite paraphrased portions of texts, just ask. When in doubt, always ask.
 If we have time, we will include a Works Cited section for practice.
 Your paper should be typed in a plain font, size 12, on the separate form I shared with you via
Googledocs.
 Proofread. Your paper will be scored on the rubric I shared with you via email.
 This final paper is due Thursday, end of class.