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Annotated Bibliography

Why has dystopian literature become so popular among young adults?

Kayla Blackburn
Professor Malcolm Campbell
UWRT 1103
October 15th, 2016

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Annotated Bibliography
Basu, Balaka, et al. (2013) Contemporary Dystopian Fiction for Young Adults: Brave New
Teenagers. New York: Routledge, 2013.
This is an academic essay compilation that presents a series of arguments organized by
dystopian literatures myriad of variable elements, especially those prevalent among
modern young adults. This book makes several argumentative claims, with the most
common theme involving the empowerment of youth against the oppressive,
manipulative authority. There is also emphasis on environmental degradation, dangerous
technological advances, and lack of racial diversity within the genre. Each chapter is an
essay that critically analyzes different aspects of each topic mentioned and other similar
ones, providing evaluations of the individual concepts history in relation to its popularity
in dystopian literature, its relevance, effectiveness, and potential impact in the present,
especially among millennials. This source also explains that the purpose of dystopian
fiction is not to tell us how to build a better world, but how to prepare us to avoid the
one weve got, combining elements of dystopia, science fiction, bildungsroman, and
romance to inspire ethical, spiritual, and political questions among young adults. It is
composed of several authors work, all edited by three research scholars and PhD holders
in this genre who educate on young adult or childrens literature (Basu professes here at
UNC Charlotte). While each chapter presents its own unbiased argument, each is
followed by comprehensive works cited pages. This combination and the fact that this
book has won prestigious awards makes for a reliable, unbiased source that offers various
perspectives, opinions, and, oftentimes, their correspondence, making it an overall

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reputable academic resource. However, since some of the authors are still working
toward their degree, their credibility could be argued.
Regardless, seeing as this book was written in 2013, it is reasonable to express trust in the
source for its highly accurate information. With an audience largely composed of those
interested in the genre or in literature itself, this publication is fair in the level of
comprehension required to understand it, though more narrow in the level of interest
required to enjoy it. The works in this novel, indeed, have similar ideas to those found in
a large quantity of my other research, establishing further validity, while still challenging
my own prior thoughts of the genre, such as bringing up the valid point involving the lack
of diversity in such novels. This wide-ranging source provides what is likely considered a
primary source, as those writing in it have read the popular dystopian novels of the
modern times and are living within the society in which this genre is skyrocketing with
popularity.
This source was extremely helpful in my research. It has given me a greater overview of
the supporting evidence as to why dystopian literature is so widely adored among the
younger generations. I now know much more about my topic and have found some
countering arguments for what I have always believed and known about the beloved
genre. I will be using this source in my project, as I now understand the appeal to my own
favorite genre and its role in present society.
Miller, Laura. "Fresh Hell." Editorial. New Yorker 14 June 2010, newyorker.com/magazine
Accessed 15 Oct. 2016.
Laura Millers New Yorker article artfully entitled Fresh Hell describes the millennial
generations attraction to dystopian literature, specifying that the overbearing authority in

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the books is relatable to high schoolers feeling similarly about their parents. Her most
prevalent claim states that other stories are less conducive to adventure, and therefore,
less appealing, to young adults. She then elaborates on how nearly all students have been
subject to at least a few forms of this genre, making it a popular choice involving the
common teen themes of defiance and living alternatively. This article briefly explains
that the primary difference between dystopian literature for young adults and that for
older generation lies in the levels of hope and violence, which both increase among YA.
While Laura Miller appears to be supportive of the genre, she does argue that oftentimes,
modern dystopian literature novels lack logical coherence, in both authority and
technology. Even so, she claims the popularity of dystopian literature is on the rise.
I believe this author is credible, seeing as she has written various articles about it in
several popular magazines, including the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.
While Miller is likely biased as an American journalist, she presents varying viewpoints
on the matter, allowing for opinionated though accurate information. I believe this
audience is likely wider than that of my academic or informational sources, as this is a
popular article likely read by many, both older and younger generations alike. By
offering a brief, though in depth, reflection of the prominence of dystopian literature
among young adults today, the author creates an objective editorial on the genres impact
and influence of the present, and, potentially, the future. This source gives a generic
overview that does match other, similar sources, and I find it to be reliable.
Overall, I will likely cite this article throughout my research project, as the information is
helpful in understanding why the genre is so popular among young adults, and how it has
transformed to reach this height. This article has definitely increased my knowledge of

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not only dystopian literature in the modern day, but also how it is viewed by those who
may not be considered young adults. Millers Fresh Hell has undoubtedly impacted the
content and depth of my research.
Scholes, Justin, and Jon Ostenson. (2013) Understanding the Appeal of Dystopian Young Adult
Fiction Web. The ALAN Review Virginia Tech Digital Library and Archives 40.2.
scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/
This e-Journal, Understanding the Appeal of Dystopian Young Adult Fiction, provides
insight on the origin of dystopian literature following World War I, its historical growth,
and its modern popularity, resulting in its aim at teenagers, from the era of The Giver to
the era of The Hunger Games. It emphasizes the power of the connection between
teenagers and the protagonists in these novels, including relations around lack of
individual freedoms, uncertainty about the future, and feelings of isolation from society.
According to this resource, many of the issues faced by these dystopian characters reflect
intellectual changes during adolescence, drawing teenagers to it by inciting critical
thinking about the world in their developing minds. Also, this e-Journal touches on the
idea that these novels may have the power to inspire the younger generation to impact
their own world, providing for the capacity to both disagree and act out against societys
growing flaws.
The teacher involved in this work teaches seventh graders, allowing him to truly visualize
the growth of dystopian fiction within his own classroom, and the professor who
contributed to and edited this work is an assistant professor at Brigham Young University
with specification in young adult literature, making this a credible. The factual and
subjective viewpoint allows for the readers a reliable and, quite frankly, historically

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accurate source on which to base their findings, and it is followed by a full bibliography
of its own, allowing for confidence in accurate information. While the intended audience
is likely those with interest in the subject, it may also be used for informative purposes,
creating a generic and broad scope of dystopian literature and its modern transition.
I do plan to use this source in my research project, as I now understand further the
transformation from dystopian fictions origin to its current reign of the bestseller lists,
allowing both myself and other readers a greater appreciation of the genre.
Wark, Wesley K. "The Intelligence Revolution and the Future." Central Intelligence Agency, 08
May 2007. Cia.gov/library, Accessed 19 Oct. 2016.
The Intelligence Revolution and the Future, published by the reliable CIA website,
gives a brief overview of the history of espionage, its impact on various revolutions, and
its potential transformation in the future. This form of spying became well known at the
turn of the 20th century in response to world events, inspiring British spy fiction to
become prevalent and popular. The Industrial Revolution later sparked the Intelligence
Revolution, which increased the power, size and scope of intelligence organizations from
what were once small, concentrated systems to large, bureaucratical, rich, and powerful
world authorities. Expansions of weapon access led civilians to further depend on
governments, and these complex feelings resulted in the dystopian literature revolution,
beginning most prominently after World War II with George Orwells 1984. This novel
provided for more Americans to recognize the potential danger of espionage because in
the terms of the Big Brother society, it led to thoughtless compliance and inevitable
corruption. The previously widespread spy fiction was also impacted, having had new
offensive spies, counter-terrorists, and abnormal settings introduced. Lastly, the

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communication revolution was born, starting with the media and increasing fears of
environmental degradation, terrorism, and biological warfare, all common elements of
dystopian literature today. Science and historical fiction genres now have the new
element of more scrutinized surveillance, and, while it is predicted that the genre will stay
popular, it is coupled that as humans learn more about the intelligence revolution, their
opinions will change, too.
This source is from the Central Intelligence Agencys website, so it is undoubtedly
reliable, even though the website did contain several grammatical errors. As a history
professor at the University of Toronto, Wark presents a purely factual and unbiased view
of the rise of surveillance via intelligence agencies throughout history and, consequently,
the future. However, the audience of this piece is narrow, including mainly those
interested in the past, present, and future of spy action and how it relates to world affairs,
which is expected for a source of this type. I trust this source, and I believe it is likely the
best, most accurate source of future predictions Ive come across during my research.
Though I enjoyed the read, I will only be utilizing a small piece of this website, if any at
all, seeing as my project is more focused on the history of dystopian literature, which
only constituted a few paragraphs of this article. However, the many aspects of society
involving surveillance and espionage are quite similar to those in dystopian literature,
allowing for real world connections. This source does help me understand the origin of
this genre and has directed me to realize more related concepts that are prevalent in the
world today.