Animal Farm
By George Orwell
Focus Activity
 Why do you think revolutions occur?
 What circumstances would lead people to overthrow the
daily political and economical structure of their lives?
 Look at this example, and then discuss these questions
in your group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnPR90dJ3Gk
(How FaceBook Changed The World The Arab Spring
[1/4])
YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES
Background
 Many of the ideals behind the Soviet
revolution were based on the writings
and teachings of Karl Marx.
 A German intellectual who lived in the
mid-1800s, Marx believed that societies
are divided into two segments, a working
class and an owner class.
 The working class creates all the
products, while the owner class enjoys all
the benefits of these products.
 This class division leads to inequality and
oppression of the working class.
Background
 Marx’s objective was to create a classless society in which the
work is shared by all for the benefit of all, and he believed
revolution was the way to achieve this goal.
 This was called ‘Communism’.
 The character of Old Major in Animal Farm is sometimes
interpreted as a representation of Karl Marx. Major’s speech in
the novel’s opening chapter reflects many Marxist ideas, from
the opening “Comrades,” a typical form of address in the
former Soviet Union, to the revolutionary song he teaches the
other animals.
Animal Farm
 We will now read Chapter 1.
 Consider your discussion on revolutions and Marx’s
idea for a classless society as we read.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 An allegory is a narrative
that can be read on more
than one level. Critics
often consider Animal
Farm to be an allegory of
the Russian Revolution.
 In the early 1900s,
Russia’s Czar Nicholas II
faced an increasingly
discontented populace.
Many Russian peasants
were struggling to
survive under an
oppressive government.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 Many Russian peasants
were struggling to
survive under an
oppressive government.
 By 1917, amidst the
tremendous suffering of
World War I, a revolution
began.
 In two major battles, the
Czar’s government was
overthrown and replaced
by the Bolshevik
leadership of Vladmir
Lenin.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 When Lenin died in 1924,
his former colleagues Leon
Trotsky, hero of the early
Revolution, and Joseph
Stalin, head of the
Communist Party,
struggled for power.
 Stalin won the battle, and
he deported Trotsky into
permanent exile.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 Once in power, Stalin began move
the Soviet Union into the modern
industrial age.
 His government seized land in order
to create collective farms.
 To counter resistance, as many
peasants refused to give up their
land, Stalin used vicious military
tactics.
 Rigged trials led to executions of an
estimated 20 million government
officials and ordinary citizens.
 The government controlled the flow
and content of information to the
people, and all but outlawed
churches.
Chapter 1
Discuss in pairs and answer these questions
in your jotters:
1. What is significant about how the animals arrange themselves as they
gather to hear Major? What might this arrangement say about future
meetings or events?
2. According to Major, what is the cause of all the animals' problems?
3. What motto does Major give the animals?
4. What are the commandments Major gives the animals? Can you think
of ways each of them could be considered a vice?
5. Why do the animals like the song "Beasts of England" so much that
they memorise it on the spot? To what emotions and needs does it
appeal?
Animal Farm
 We are now going to read Chapter 2.
 Consider what you know about Trotsky and Stalin
as we read.
Chapter 2
Answer these questions in your jotters:
1. How have the pigs ‘elaborated Old Major’s teachings into a complete
system of thought’? What differences are there between the Seven
Commandments and what Major tells the animals not to do?
2. Do you think the questions asked by the animals in the education
classes are ‘foolish’?
3. Why do you think Orwell chooses to call Boxer and Clover the pigs’
‘most faithful disciples’?
4. Why does the Rebellion happen? Does this tell us anything about the
influence of Animalism on the animals?
5. Why do you think Orwell has Snowball make mistakes in his writing?
Active Reading
The major characters in Animal Farm are
introduced in the first four chapters.
As you read, think about the purpose of
each of each of Orwell’s characters.
Animal Farm as a Fable
 A fable is a narration intended to enforce a useful truth.
 Fables have two important characteristics.
 First, they teach a moral or lesson. In Animal Farm, the
moral involves Orwell’s views about Soviet politics.
 Second, the characters are most frequently animals.
These animal characters often function as a satiric
device to point out the follies of humankind.
Fables –
The Tortoise and the Hare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjokVI0LJzw
(The Hare And The Tortoise - Aesop's fables)
Animal Farm as a Fable
 Though Old Major, Snowball, and Napoleon may
represent Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, and Joseph
Stalin, many of the story characters are much
more general.
 Some animals are grouped together as a single
character—“the sheep,” “the hens,” and “the dogs.”
 Orwell also capitalizes on the traits generally
associated with particular animals, such as sheep
as followers and dogs as loyal.
Animal Farm
 We are now going to read Chapter 3.
 Consider the characters of Napoleon and Snowball
as we read, and how their relationship develops.
Chapter 3
Answer these questions in your jotters:
1. What difficulties did the animals have in gathering in the
harvest and how did they overcome these difficulties? Is all
going well?
2. What does the behaviour of Mollie, the cat and Benjamin tell us
about their attitudes to the rebellion?
3. Why do you think Snowball’s various projects, except reading
and writing classes, were ‘failures’?
4. What degrees of success do the different animals have in
learning to read and write? What does this tell us about their
characters?
5. What kind of people do you think the sheep represent?
Chapter 4
 We are now going to read Chapter 4.
 Consider the main characters and their characteristics as
we read – what role have they played in the novel so far.
Chapter 4
Answer these questions in your jotters:
1. What are the differences between the characters of
Frederick and Pilkington and between the farms they
run?
2. How does Orwell indicate that Frederick and Pilkington
are ‘thoroughly frightened’ by the events on Animal
Farm?
3. What was Napoleon doing during the Battle of the
Cowshed?
4. What do you think Orwell was satirising (making fun of)
when he described how the animals celebrated their
victory?
Chapters 1-4
 Make a chart in your jotter, noting details that
describe each character or by listing key actions.
 E.g.
Character
Characteristics / Actions /
Purpose
Old Major
Gets the revolution started;
inspires hope for a real
change.
Animal Farm
Chapters 1-4
Personal Response
In your jotter, write down responses to the following
questions:
 What is your reaction to the animals’ revolution?
 Do you sympathise with the animals’ complaints
and goals? Why and why not?
YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES
Chapters 1-4
Analysing Literature – Recall and Interpret
1. Describe how the Rebellion takes place. How does the
animals’ behavior during the Rebellion suggest both human
and animal characteristics?
2.
How do the pigs gain the rights to the cow’s milk? Why do
the other animals allow this to occur? What does this event
suggest about the power hierarchy on the farm?
3. How does the original vision of Animalism become the
slogan “Four legs bad, two legs good”? In your opinion, do
the animals want rules with simple language? What kind of
language do the pigs use?
Chapters 1-4
Analysing Literature – Evaluate and Connect
1. What technique does Orwell use to cast doubt on
the likelihood of a successful revolution?
2. Characterize Snowball as a leader. Do you think his
reaction to the stable-boy’s death is the
appropriate reaction to have during a revolution?
Focus Activity
How would you feel if the rules for correct
behaviour kept changing?
 In your groups, discuss some methods people have
for persuading others to follow particular rules of
behaviour.
 Consider ways in which this persuasion relies on
bias and manipulation of information.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
Look at the theme of Propaganda and Communication
Study the character of Squealer and his role
Propaganda and Communication
 What is PROPAGANDA?
 Information, ideas, or rumours
deliberately spread widely to help or harm
a person, group, movement, institution,
nation, etc.
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs. Reality
In your groups discuss the following questions:
 What do you think of Squealer?
 What does his name suggest?
 Why is his propaganda so powerful?
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUkfExXqpU
(North Korea propaganda)
Propaganda still exists today, despite the
public being more informed than ever.
Key Techniques Used in Propaganda
Copy these down in your jotters.
Bandwagon – implying that by not acting in the
desired way, you will be different from everyone else.
Stereotyping and Name-Calling – making
general statements about enemies, undermining
them.
Assertation – statements presented as fact (think
about Napoleon’s smearing of Snowball).
Key Techniques Used in Propaganda
 Emotive Language – often plays on ideas of
bravery, duty, pride, etc.
 Powerful imagery – idealised images, designed
to attract and persuade people of a certain
campaign or way of thinking (e.g. Stalin’s
presentation of Russia as vast, powerful and full of
happy people; himself as the ‘father’ of the
country).
Chapter 5
 We will now read Chapter 5.
 Consider the role of the pigs and their position in the
farm as we read.
Chapter 5
Answer these questions in your jotter:
1. Why does Mollie leave? How does Orwell prepared us for this
development? You need to remind yourself of what she does in
earlier chapters.
2. Orwell says ‘It had come to be accepted that the pigs…should
decide all questions.’ How does this happen?
3. How does Orwell make us aware of the importance of the sheep’s
‘Four legs good, two legs bad’ slogan?
4. Orwell says that Squealer’s argument was ‘unanswerable.’ Do you
think it was?
Chapter 6 - Irony
 What is ‘irony’?
 Ironic statements are statements that
imply a meaning in opposition to their
literal meaning.
Chapter 6 - Irony
Chapter 6 - Irony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYq2d7iKKhk
(Irony – WhatYouOughtToKnow)
Chapter 6
1. What word, in the second paragraph, is used by Orwell in a heavily
ironic way, to show that Napoleon is becoming more dictatorial?
2. What advantages are there for the animals in running their own
farm?
3. In what way is Snowball so useful to Napoleon, even though he has
been expelled from the farm?
4. How does Orwell show that to be literate is not enough, if you cannot
understand the significance of what you have read?
5. Why do you think that Benjamin refuses to ‘grow enthusiastic’ about
the windmill?
Chapter 7
 We will now read Chapter 7.
 As we do, think about the methods Squealer uses to
confuse the animals, and if governments today give
people the truth about what is happening.
Chapter 7
Answer the questions in your jotters:
1. Who does Orwell suggets is responsible for spreading the idea that
Snowball visits the farm at night?
2. What makes some of the animals confess to ‘crimes’ when they know
they will be executed? Why does Napoleon want them to confess?
3. Re-read the paragraph beginning “The animals huddled about
Clover.” Why do you think Orwell chooses to include it and place it in
this particular position in the chapter?
4. Why do the words of the new anthem “not come up to ‘Beasts of
England’”?
Chapters 5-7
 Orwell’s characters and narrator use language to communicate
hidden agendas. Sometimes Orwell hints that language should be
carefully questioned, other times it’s up to the reader to notice.
 Look back over chapters 5-7, and complete a chart in your jotter
by filling in some examples of manipulative communication.
 Write down the quotation from the text, and then what it really
means – you should have at least five or six examples.
The Words
What They Really Mean
“In future all questions
Napoleon is going to make
relating to the working of
all the decisions from now
the farm would be settled by on.
a special committee of pigs
presided over by himself.”
Chapter 8
 We will now read Chapter 8.
 As we read, think about the incidents which indicate
Naopleon’s increasing dominance – does Orwell want us
to sympathise with him?
Chapter 8
Answer the questions in your jotters:
1. Look at the language used in the Minimus’ poem about
Napoleon. What similarities can we see between this and
the language of hymns? Why would Orwell do this?
2. How does Orwell show the effect the whisky has on the
pigs? Are we meant to find this amusing?
3. Which words or phrases of the last two paragraphs do
you think are ironic? Why?
How Great Thou Art
Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder Consider all the works
Chapter 9
1. What items do the pigs trade for with the humans? What
differences are there between these and the items they
traded for in earlier chapters?
2. Why does Orwell use the word ‘spontaneous’ to describe
the weekly demonstration? What is the purpose of all
the ceremonies held on the farm?
3. Why do the other pigs not complain that Napoleon
allows himself four times as much beer per day as they
are allowed?
4. What is different about Benjamin’s behaviour in this
chapter?
Chapter 10
 We will now read Chapter 10.
 We see the animals compare the pigs and the men.
Think about whether they understand the significance of
what they have seen.
Chapter 10
1. What do you think those animals who dimly remember
the rebellion would pass on to the younger animals
about it?
2. Orwell uses the phrase “unalterable way of life” to
express Benjamin’s ideas. What does Benjamin (and
Orwell) mean? Why do you think Orwell chooses the
word “unalterable”?
3. Re-read the paragraph beginning “And yet the animals
never gave up hope.” What does it tell us of the animals
feelings? In what way is the ending ironic?
4. What point is Orwell making when he has Pilkington
compare “your lower animals” with “our lower classes.”
Chapters 8-10
 As Napoleon takes over leadership of the farm, a new social and
political structure emerges.
 This restructuring leads to many changes in power and privilege
among the animals.
 Compare the living conditions of the pigs with the living conditions of
the other animals.
Under Napoleon’s Leadership
Life for the Pigs
Life for Other Animals
pigs live in farmhouse
Work longer hours
Napoleon is waited on
Receive less food
Chapters 8-10
Personal Response
In your groups discuss the following:
 What is your reaction to the novel’s ending? For
example, do you find it uplifting, depressing, cynical?
Explain.
Analysing Literature
Recall and Interpret
1. What dealings does Napoleon have with Frederick and
Pilkington? How does the battle over the windmill affect the
animals? What events from Soviet history is Orwell highlighting?
2. What happens to Boxer and how do the other animals learn of
his fate? How do they come to a final conclusion about these
events?
3. What changes are made to the Fifth and Sixth Commandments?
How is the entire list of Commandments ultimately refashioned?
What point is Orwell making about the role of communication in
Soviet society?
Analysing Literature
Evaluate and Connect
1. In Chapter 10 the pigs begin to walk on two legs. In your
opinion is this evolution a sign of progress? Explain.
2. Some critics believe that, at the end of the book, Orwell
suggests that the pigs and human political leaders are
interchangeable. Do you think most government rulers are
interchangeable? How might power change those who have
it? Explain.
Animal Farm
Personal Response
 Animal Farm contains many extremely effective
scenes. Some are humorous or witty, others are
bitterly ironic or pessimistic. Which scene did you
find most memorable and effective? Why?
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Beginning to look at the main themes of the novel
 Analysing the text for examples of the themes
 Recap the historical context
Animal Farm – Main Themes
 Greed
 Leaders and Followers
 Betrayal
Animal Farm – Main Themes
 Propaganda and Communication
and Appearance and Reality
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 An allegory is a narrative
that can be read on more
than one level. Critics
often consider Animal
Farm to be an allegory of
the Russian Revolution.
 In the early 1900s,
Russia’s Czar Nicholas II
faced an increasingly
discontented populace.
Many Russian peasants
were struggling to
survive under an
oppressive government.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 Many Russian peasants
were struggling to
survive under an
oppressive government.
 By 1917, amidst the
tremendous suffering of
World War I, a revolution
began.
 In two major battles, the
Czar’s government was
overthrown and replaced
by the Bolshevik
leadership of Vladmir
Lenin.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 When Lenin died in 1924,
his former colleagues Leon
Trotsky, hero of the early
Revolution, and Joseph
Stalin, head of the
Communist Party,
struggled for power.
 Stalin won the battle, and
he deported Trotsky into
permanent exile.
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 Once in power, Stalin began move
the Soviet Union into the modern
industrial age.
 His government seized land in order
to create collective farms.
 To counter resistance, as many
peasants refused to give up their
land, Stalin used vicious military
tactics.
 Rigged trials led to executions of an
estimated 20 million government
officials and ordinary citizens.
 The government controlled the flow
and content of information to the
people, and all but outlawed
churches.
Animal Farm – Main Themes
 What examples from the text can you think of for each
of the main themes?
 Discuss in your groups and note down on the paper on
your table.
 Greed
 Leaders and Followers
 Betrayal
 Propaganda and Communication
 Appearance and Reality
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
Looking at the theme of GREED
Analysing examples of this theme in the text
Animal Farm - Greed
 Analysing a text literally involves separating a text into
sections, so as to make sense of the whole.
 Elements to consider are:
- language
- plot
- characterisation
- setting
- patterns/symbols
Animal Farm - Greed
 Take an Examples worksheet
 We will analyse the first together – Old Major’s speech
 Now work in pairs to analyse the other examples,
including:
- The greed of the pigs, replacing humans
- The sale of Boxer
Animal Farm - Greed
Theme
Greed
Example
Analysis
Old Major’s
- Focuses on the greed of Man
Speech
-”Man serves the interest of no other creature but
himself”
- Compares man and animals, and highlights that man
does not contribute as animals do:
“He does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the
plough”
- Calls man “lord of all animals, but emphasises the
“tyranny of human beings” – has connotations of
‘tyrant’, someone who seeks to gain advantage
only for themselves, not for their people
- Uses violent imagery to describe the way Man will
dispose of the animals once they are of no use to them,
e.g. Boxer will be sold “to the knacker, who will cut
your throat and boil you down for the foxhounds,” and
the dogs “when they grow old and toothless, Jones ties
a brick round their necks and drowns them in the
nearest pond.”
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
Review responses for the analysis of GREED
Look at the theme of LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS
Analysing examples and characters from the text
Animal Farm – Leaders and
Followers
 Take an Examples worksheet
 We will analyse the first together – Snowball vs.
Napoleon
Animal Farm – Leaders and
Followers
Theme
Example
Analysis
Leaders and
Followers
Napoleon vs.
Snowball
 Napoleon is interested in
his own power, Snowball
is dedicated to the ideals
of Animal Farm
 Both accept the
superiority of the pigs
above the other animals
 Snowball’s reliance on his
intelligence and rhetoric is
no match for the brute
force Napoleon shows
 Connotations of names –
Napoleon, the French
leader who betrayed
democratic principals after
he came to power;
Snowball, suggests
something purer
Animal Farm – Leaders and
Followers
 Now work in pairs to analyse the other examples,
including:
- Napoleon and his rule over the other animals
TIP (think about his dogs; how often he
appears; the way he uses propaganda, the
effect these create)
- The followers – Boxer, the sheep, etc.
TIP (think about Boxer’s mantra, the sheep’s
chorus, the faith the animals show in
Napoleon, the effect these create)
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
 Take an Examples worksheet
 Now work in pairs to analyse
- Squealer’s propaganda
TIP (what effect does his propaganda
have? What techniques does he use,
e.g. opinion as fact?)
- ‘Snowball’s’ sabotage
of the farm
TIP (why does Napoleon tell the animals
this? How does it make him more
powerful?)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Complete our analysis on Propaganda and
Communication in the novel, and review the responses
 Work in pairs to create your own Propaganda leaflet for
the pigs
Animal Farm –
Propaganda and Communication
 Take an Examples worksheet
 Now work in pairs to analyse
- Squealer’s propaganda
TIP (what effect does his propaganda
have? What techniques does he use,
e.g. assertation, bandwagon?)
- ‘Snowball’s’ sabotage
of the farm
TIP (why does Napoleon tell the animals
this? How does it make him more
powerful?)
REMEMBER TO DESCRIBE WHICH PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES ARE USED
Animal Farm –
Propaganda and Communication
 Work in pairs to design a PROPAGANDA leaflet for the
pigs of Animal Farm
 Remember to use similar language and persuasive
propaganda techniques, as used by Squealer in the
novel
 Take note of the IMAGERY used in Stalinist propaganda
posters for inspiration
 The leaflet should have ONE main image, and TWO
paragraphs
Animal Farm – Propaganda and
Communication/ Appearance vs.
Reality
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Complete our propaganda leaflets
 Look at the theme of BETRAYAL in the novel and analyse
examples of this
 Work in pairs to design a PROPAGANDA leaflet for the
pigs of Animal Farm
 Remember to use similar language and persuasive
techniques, as used by Squealer in the novel
 Take note of the IMAGERY used in Stalinist propaganda
posters for inspiration
 The leaflet should have ONE main image, and TWO
paragraphs
Animal Farm - Betrayal
 Which characters are betrayed in the novel?
 In what ways do they set themselves up to be betrayed?
 What effect do these betrayals have? How do we feel
about those who betray them?
Animal Farm - Betrayal
 Take an Examples worksheet
 Now work in pairs to analyse
- Old Major’s Speech
(TIP: Think about what Old Major intended
for the farm, and what happened instead;
the 7 commandments, how they change)
- Boxer
(TIP: Think about how Boxer contributes to
the farm; his wishes for retirement; what
he is sold for)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives
 Looking at key quotations from the novel
 Analysing these quotations with reference to their
context and meaning
Animal Farm - Quotations
 Look back at the very first Examples worksheet we
completed
 What quotations from the novel do you remember?
 Why do you think these quotations are important?
Example  The descriptions of the slaughters
“Immediately the dogs bounded forward, seized four of the
pigs by the ear and dragged them, squealing with pain
and terror, to Napoleon’s feet.”
“When they had finished their confessions the dogs
promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice
Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had
anything to confess.”
“And so the tale of executions went on, until there was a
pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air
was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been
unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.”
Animal Farm - Quotations
 Take a Quotations
worksheet
 Work in pairs to analyse
quotations from the
following:
- Old Major’s speech
(TIP: Look at how he
describes the humans;
the warnings he gives to
the other animals)
- Squealer’s propaganda
(TIP: Look at the way he
changes Napoleon’s
stance on the windmill;
the rewriting of
Snowball’s role on the
farm)
- The 7 Commandments
(TIP: Look at how they alter
throughout the novel to
reflect the pigs taking over
the Manor house; the final
change to one
commandment)
- Boxer and the sheep’s
mantras
(TIP: Think about the
repetition and the effect it
has; what it tells us about
their characters)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives
 Continue analysing quotations from the novel, with
reference to their context and meaning
 Review our responses as a class
3 Steps for Analysing
Quotations
 1. Break the sentence down – look at the meaning and
connotations of individual words, techniques and
phrases, as well as the whole sentence
e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs
promptly tore their throats out”
“Promptly” is quite a ‘proper’ word, which contrasts sharply with
the messy manner of the executions, and says that they
were immediate and without mercy.
“Tore their throats out” is an incredibly graphic use of IMAGERY,
showing the brutality of their deaths, and “tore” emphasises
the violence of the execution.
3 Steps for Analysing
Quotations
 2. Think about what the whole sentence suggests
e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs
promptly tore their throats out”
The sentence shows that there is no delay in doling out
‘justice’ to the pigs, and gives a sense of a lack of justice
in their fates.
3 Steps for Analysing
Quotations
 3. Comment on the context of the quotation
e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs
promptly tore their throats out”
The violence and swiftness of the executions highlights the
extent that Napoleon is willing to go to to maintain
power – he has turned on his own kind, and is now using
fear and violence as a means of controlling the animals.
Animal Farm - Quotations
 Take a Quotations
worksheet
 Work in pairs to analyse
quotations from the
following:
- Old Major’s speech
(TIP: Look at how he
describes the humans;
the warnings he gives to
the other animals)
- The 7 Commandments
(TIP: Look at how they alter
throughout the novel to
reflect the pigs taking over
the Manor house; the final
change to one
commandment)
- Squealer’s propaganda
(TIP: Look at the way he
changes Napoleon’s
stance on the windmill;
the rewriting of
Snowball’s role on the
farm)
- Boxer and the sheep’s
mantras
(TIP: Think about the
repetition and the effect it
has; what it tells us about
their characters)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Finish analysing quotations from the novel, with
reference to their context and meaning
 Work in groups to share and discuss your analysis
3 Steps for Analysing
Quotations
 1. Break the sentence down – look at the meaning
and connotations of individual words, techniques
and phrases, as well as the whole sentence
 2. Think about what the whole sentence suggests
 3. Comment on the context of the quotation
Animal Farm - Quotations
 Take a Quotations
worksheet
 Work in pairs to analyse
quotations from the
following:
- Old Major’s speech
(TIP: Look at how he
describes the humans;
the warnings he gives to
the other animals)
- The 7 Commandments
(TIP: Look at how they alter
throughout the novel to
reflect the pigs taking over
the Manor house; the final
change to one
commandment)
- Squealer’s propaganda
(TIP: Look at the way he
changes Napoleon’s
stance on the windmill;
the rewriting of
Snowball’s role on the
farm)
- Boxer and the sheep’s
mantras
(TIP: Think about the
repetition and the effect it
has; what it tells us about
their characters)
Animal Farm - Quotations
 Work in groups to discuss your analysis
 You have TWO MINUTES to discuss each quotation
 REMEMBER TO DISCUSS THE CONNOTATION OF
INDIVIDUAL WORDS AND PHRASES, AS WELL AS
CONTEXT
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Introduction to our critical essays
 Revise PEE essay structure
 Look at the critical essay question
Critical Writing Skills
P
E
E
Why bother?
 We need to follow a structure to write essays
 We are going to use the P E E technique as a guide
 This will help with any critical writing throughout
the school
Introduction
 Start with TART
 (Title, Author, Refer to Task)
 E.g. Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory
based on the distortion of Communist ideals in
Stalinist Russia. Orwell uses characterisation,
imagery and themes of greed and betrayal to
depict the breakdown of a society.
What do they mean?
 P - Point
 E - Evidence
 E - Explain/ evaluate (analysis)
Point
 The Point is simply what each paragraph is aboutyou make a main point in every paragraph you
write. This is usually the topic sentence you use.
 Do not signpost your paragraph e.g. do not say “I
am going to talk about”
Evidence
 It is simply the introduction of a quotation into the
text, along with the quotation itself.
 It allows you to explain the background
information of where the quotation comes from.
Evidence
 The quotation is the evidence that you have to
back up your point
 It is important that you pick a quotation that you
can explain and evaluate
 Make sure there is enough information in each
quotation that you pick
Explain/ Evaluate
 This is the chance for you to explain how the quotation
backs up the point you are making
 You need to make sure that you fully explain the
quotation
 You then need to evaluate the quotation- give your
opinion on how successful it is
 Your opinion should be implicit - do not write “I think”
THIS IS WHERE WE WOULD USE OUR ANALYSIS OF THE
QUOTATIONS
Remember:
 This is basic critical essay formula
 It can be developed and become more
sophisticated as you progress
 If you follow this, you are choosing the right path,
and are more likely to succeed
Animal Farm – Critical Essay Question
 Choose a novel which deals with the effects of a
breakdown in society
 Show how any of this negative pressure affects the
characters in the novel and go on to show whether
or not they tackle it successfully
- What examples in the text highlight the breakdown
of a society?
- How are the characters affected?
- What themes are connected with this idea?
- What techniques does Orwell use to depict this?
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
Choose a novel which deals with the effects of a breakdown in society.
Show how any of this negative pressure affects the characters in the
novel and go on to show whether or not they tackle it successfully
 Work in groups to discuss FIVE EXAMPLES FROM THE
TEXT you might write about in this essay
 You should make reference to quotations for EACH
POINT
 Use your Examples from the Text worksheets and
Quotations Analysis worksheets as a guide
YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Recap the novel’s context and its structure as an
allegory
 Work in pairs to discuss examples from the novel for our
essays
 Create our essay plans
Animal Farm as an Allegory
 An allegory is a narrative that can be read in more than
one way
 Animal Farm is an allegory
 On first impressions, it appears to be a simple tale about
a group of animals trying to run a farm by themselves
 However, it actually represents Stalinist Russia, and his
manipulation of Communist ideals
Animal Farm - Context
 It is a SATIRE of Soviet Socialism – where the ideologies of
Communism were taken and distorted to benefit the leaders, i.e.
Stalin
 Communism was written about by Karl Marx – he wanted a classless
society where everyone was equal, and all work was shared
 Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin, who turns Animal Farm into a
dictatorship, as Stalin did in Russia
 Snowball represents Leon Trotsky, a rival of Stalin who was later
assassinated on his orders
 Old Major is often thought to represent Karl Marx, whose original plans
for Communism have been manipulated to benefit the few while the
majority suffers
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
Choose a novel which deals with the effects of a breakdown in
society.
Show how any of this negative pressure affects the characters in
the novel and go on to show whether or not they tackle it
successfully.
 Work in pairs to discuss FIVE EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXT
you might write about in this essay
 Use your Examples from the Text, Quotations Analysis
and Essay Preparation worksheets as a guide
YOU HAVE FIFTEEN MINUTES
Animal Farm – Essay Plans
 Now, work INDIVIDUALLY on your essay plans
 Remember to include PEE in every paragraph
 Use your Essay Planner worksheets as a basis
YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Look at the Success Criteria for the critical essay
 Begin writing our first drafts:
- Introduction
- Paragraph 1
- Paragraph 2
Animal Farm
– Critical Essay Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
 Get straight to the point!
 Indicate the ideas you will write about
 Identify the techniques you will write about
 Make clear your point of view
Animal Farm
– Critical Essay Success Criteria
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the point in your Topic
Sentence! E.g. George Orwell shows the
breakdown of a society through his
exploration of the theme of betrayal.
 Show your knowledge of the text
 Identify the techniques you will write about
 Analyse your quotation well
 Make clear your point of view
 Keep the question in mind – refer back to the
task
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 We are now going to begin our FIRST DRAFTS
 By the end of the period, you should have written
your Introduction and your first TWO paragraphs
 Use your plans and worksheets to guide you
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
Homework! Write this in your planners, please.
 By MONDAY, you should have written:
- Introduction
- Paragraph 1
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 3
 We will be finishing the essays in clas on
Monday, so DO NOT FORGET YOURS
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives
 Recapping the success criteria for the essay
 Completing our first drafts
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
 What other things make a good essay?
 Think about language, structure, references to the
text…
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 We are now going to continue working on our
FIRST DRAFTS
 By the end of the period, you should have
completed your essays
 Use your plans and worksheets to guide you
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Personal Reading
 Recap the success criteria for the essay
 Look at exemplar essays to evaluate good and bad
points
 Peer evaluate your partner’s essay
 Reflect on your own essay
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
 What else makes a good essay?
Language
Structure
Reference to text
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 You have been given two EXEMPLAR ESSAYS
 Look over these, and discuss with your partner
which you think is best
 List two reasons why you believe it is better than
the other essay
YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
• Having someone else look at our work can often
help it to become better
• They can see strengths or mistakes that we
sometimes cannot see ourselves
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 We are now going to complete some PEER EVALUATION
 Read over your partner’s essay
 Using the success criteria we have discussed as a guide,
note TWO STRENGTHS and TWO TARGETS for your
partner’s work
YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 Now, having completed PEER EVALUATION of another essay,
and having looked at success criteria and exemplar essays,
think about YOUR OWN WORK.
 On a Post-It, write TWO STRENGTHS and TWO TARGETS for
your own essay – these should be different from the
feedback your partner has given.
 Attach the Post-It to your essay, and pass to the front of
your row
YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Personal Reading
 Begin our final drafts!
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Lesson Objectives:
 Complete our essays!
Animal Farm – Success Criteria
INTRODUCTION:
PARAGRAPHS:
 Get straight to the
point!
•Get straight to the point in your
Topic Sentence! E.g. George Orwell
shows the breakdown of a society
through his exploration of the theme
of betrayal.
 Indicate the ideas
you will write about
 Identify the
techniques you will
write about
 Make clear your
point of view
•Show your knowledge of the text
•Identify the techniques you will
write about
•Analyse your quotation well
•Make clear your point of view
•Keep the question in mind – refer
back to the task
Animal Farm – Critical Essay
 If you have not finished your essay, take this home
and complete it over the weekend