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1984 - Still Relevant?: Home

Support your real-world, present-day connections to 1984 with research on current events

Introduction

This guide is for the sophomore English
RESEARCH PROJECT - 
"What's relevant about George Orwell's 1984 in 2022?" 
 
Task: Connect the book 1984 to present day events by researching current events:

Events to Consider: 

2020 Election  Privacy      January 6th Insurrection 
Technology  Censorship  The Ukraine war   
Political 
Propaganda
Russian and Chinese Totalitarianism 

 Bans on Discussing Race/Sexuality in Schools           

Surveillance 

      Trumpism     "Fake News" 

Using library databases will ensure you create a quality research project 

Databases provide you with:

  • Up to date, relevant information
  • Evaluated sources
  • Citation information 
  • Subject specific content

Note: Database Passwords each database has a unique username and password (note - some only require a password, not a username) 

From home you will need to enter a username and password - in school, the majority of the databases are geolocated where you should not need a password. 

Why Use Databases?

Developing An Effective Search Strategy

NoodleTools

Noodletools is an integrated tool for note-taking, outlining, citing sources, document
archiving/annotation, and collaborative research and writing. NOTE: When creating a new project choose ADVANCED under citation level. Use your Wayland email address to create an account. Need help creating an account? Watch this video.

NoodleTools also has a couple of great Help pages with a wide array of detailed tutorials about how to use it: NoodleTools Help Desk and here: NoodleTools Support. 

Searching Databases

What is your question? All good research starts with an essential question. 
Ex: How is censorship in the novel 1984 comparable to schools today banning any discussion of race or sexuality?

What are your keywords? Searching a database requires entering search terms or keywords related to your search. Consider phrases, tag words, synonyms (don't be afraid to think outside the box). 
Ex: "school" AND "censorship"  AND "race"  OR "sexuality"

Set up your search: Choose where in the document the database should search for your keywords:
Stick to Keyword or Entire Document 

Search Limiters

Choose Your Search Limiters: Always choose "full document" - there is nothing worse than finding what could be the perfect resource, only to  discover you do not have access to the full article, only the abstract (summary). 

 

Additional Search Limiters: You can further limit your search by date and document type (the type of documents that are searchable can vary by database - unless you need something very specific (primary source, newspaper article, map) you do not have to use this limiter. Similarly using the date limiter is optional, but can be useful especially if you need current information.

WHS Library Catalog

Wayland Public Library

Boston Public Library

Citation

Guide adapted from T. McDonald's guide Chemistry and You