Animal Farm Essay Test
Read the following essay options. Answer the questions thoroughly with
support from the text. In a well organized essay of roughly one page
(each) answer 2 questions total (so you will have TWO essays of at least
ONE page). You should include a bare minimum of four rich supporting
details to provide the answer, evidence and commentary.
Choose two (2) of the following.
1. Explain how Animal Farm is an allegory and the message that
Orwell is trying to convey. Cite specific characters and actions to
support your answer.
2. Compare and contrast Napoleon and Snowball. What propaganda
techniques do the both use in their struggle for power?
3. Discuss Boxer. What role does he play on the farm? Why does
Napoleon seemed threatened by him? In what ways in the betrayal
of Boxer seen as an alternative climax to the novel (if we consider
Napoleon chasing off Snowball as the climax)
4. Orwell felt that revolutions fail in that they result only in a change
of tyrants. Use specific examples to trace Napoleon’s rise to power
and show how he is an example of Orwell’s philosophy.
5. Consider the beginning and the ending of Animal Farm; describe
the process of how the pigs become more human-like and discuss
what Orwell believes about human nature.
This is due _________________________________________________________
Scoring Guides on the back.
If you wish for feedback I will be checking email a few times over break.
However, I will not be responding to emails sent on January 2. If you
want feedback, please send drafts before December 30. 
Scoring Rubric
Introduction
Body
Paragraphs/
Textual
Support
Conclusion
Fluency
1
2
3
No attempt at
an introduction
or “I am going
to tell you…like
it is first grade
show and tell
6
No attempt at
constructing a
well-developed
essay
Thesis is
implied but not
on the
papers…..Has
thesis, but no
purpose
9
Reasons are
not tied in with
thesis, little
support,
Has thesis and
purpose, but could
be clearer. Generic;
restates the prompt
38
40
No attempt at a
conclusion
“In Conclusion”
“The end”
Summarizing
essay
2
4
No attempt at
writing a fluent
paper
Generic
transitions,
many errors
confusing to
the reader
6
13
4
5
Has thesis, lacks
clarity, clear
purpose, lacks
stylistic
sophistication
Has a clear thesis and
purpose with an element
of sophistication and high
level thinking
15
11
Offers reasons, may
loosely be related to
text, with some
textual references.
Proves reading but
doesn’t prove
understanding.
Commentary is
weak, generic/may
not fit the evidence
provided
42
Generic summary
offering no
reflection or
evaluation of essay.
A restatement if
ideas that essential
becomes a waste of
time for the reader
because you are
just repeating
yourself.
6
Generic transitions,
some errors make it
confusing to the
reader. Audience is
not appropriate for
the type of writing,
writing has little
sophistication
15
13
Clear reasoning,
some valid support,
some textual
references, attempt
quote integration
Leaves gaps in essay
leaving the reader
with questions.
Evidence has some
commentary, but
leaves the reader
questioning the
evidence.
50
Ties ideas together
and loosely relates
to thesis but could
use a bit more polish
Clear reasoning, valid
support, including quotes
and direct, specific
references; quotes are
integrated into the
paragraphs includes
sophistication and high
level thinking Evidence
has commentary
55
Ties ideas together in an
effective manner that
relates with the thesis
includes sophistication
and high level thinking
8
Well-written, some
errors, generic
transitions. Errors do
not interfere with
understanding. Some
sophisticated tone
and audience
awareness but lacks
sophistication
17
10
Well-written, effective
transitions with few
errors. Sophisticated
tone, eloquence
awareness of audience
20
Sample: Pre-writing, mapping out if ideas sample.
Prompt: In Animal Farm, who is the “good guy” and who is the “bad guy”? Choose two
characters and explain how their actions, desires and values define them as good or bad.
Describe how each character has an impact on the outcome of the story.
*Obviously when I write my paper, I will develop more sophisticated language (Boxer is
good is not a high school thesis) and my evidence will be thoroughly supported. This is
a just a graphic organizer to layout my ideas.
Answer
Evidence 1 + Commentary
Boxer is good*
Mollie is bad*
He works hard building and Mollie is selfish. After the
rebuilding the windmill. He first Rebellion, Mollie was
gets up earlier and when
very concerned about
prompted by Napoleon vow whether or not or why she
to work harder!
couldn’t wear hair ribbons
Boxers vow to work
and have treats.
harder also encouraged
Mollie liked the clothes
the other animals to work
and the “badges of
harder. Their respect for
slavery” set up by the
him made him a good
humans and Mr. Jones.
character and an asset to
She felt no need to change
the farm.
the farm.
Evidence 2 + commentary
Boxer may question
While all the other animals
authority, but is loyal to the were at work, Mollie would
cause because he knows
sleep late. During the
that Comrade Napoleon is
battle of the Cowshed, she
always right! When
hid, instead of fighting.
Napoleon’s dogs tried to
Mollie running away did
attack him, he was strong
not impact the spirit or the
enough to withstand their
work on the farm, but the
attack, but not without
animals never talking
questioning some of the
about her again, speaks
judgments made.
that the animals were
Boxer knows that things
comrades to those who
might not be great on
supported the rebellion.
Animal Farm, but he know
they are better than when
Mr. Jones was in charge.
Boxer is loyal to the cause
even when the pigs
wronged the animals.
Outcome: the actions of Boxer and Mollie are both needed to convey Orwell’s message.
Boxer’s goodness illustrates the many loyal animals devoted to the cause despite the
tyranny of their leader. While Mollie displays those who were unaffected, happy and
contented living under the leadership of the humans. Although there are other good
and bad animals in the novel, these two provide a juxtaposition in their actions and
their role in rebellion.