Animal Fa Я m
By George Orwell
Name:___________________________
Animal Farm Reading and Writing Schedule
Day Number
Reading
Writing
One
v-xii
1-5
Two
25-34
6-7
Three
35-44
8-9
Four
45-53
10-12
Five
Catch Up
13
Six
54-60
14-15
Seven
61-72
16
Eight
73-83
17-19
Nine
84-97
20-21
Ten
Catch Up
22
Eleven
98-113
23-25
Twelve
114-126
26
Thirteen
127-139
27-28
Fourteen
xiii-xxiii
29-31
Fifteen
Catch Up
32-34
Twenty
35-37
2
Animal Farm Summary
Old Major, a prize-winning boar, gathers the animals of the Manor Farm for a
meeting in the big barn. He tells them of a dream he has had in which all
animals live together with no human beings to oppress or control them. He
tells the animals that they must work toward such a paradise and teaches
them a song called “Beasts of England,” in which his dream vision is lyrically
described. The animals greet Major’s vision with great enthusiasm. When he
dies only three nights after the meeting, three younger pigs—Snowball,
Napoleon, and Squealer—formulate his main principles into a philosophy
called Animalism. Late one night, the animals manage to defeat the farmer
Mr. Jones in a battle, running him off the land. They rename the property
Animal Farm and dedicate themselves to achieving Major’s dream. The carthorse Boxer devotes himself to the cause with particular zeal, committing his great strength to the prosperity of the farm
and adopting as a personal maxim the affirmation “I will work harder.”
At first, Animal Farm prospers. Snowball works at teaching the animals to read, and Napoleon takes a group of young
puppies to educate them in the principles of Animalism. When Mr. Jones reappears to take back his farm, the animals
defeat him again, in what comes to be known as the Battle of the Cowshed, and take the farmer’s abandoned gun as a
token of their victory. As time passes, however, Napoleon and Snowball increasingly quibble over the future of the farm,
and they begin to struggle with each other for power and influence among the other animals. Snowball concocts a
scheme to build an electricity-generating windmill, but Napoleon solidly opposes the plan. At the meeting to vote on
whether to take up the project, Snowball gives a passionate speech. Although Napoleon gives only a brief retort, he then
makes a strange noise, and nine attack dogs—the puppies that Napoleon had confiscated in order to “educate”—burst
into the barn and chase Snowball from the farm. Napoleon assumes leadership of Animal Farm and declares that there
will be no more meetings. From that point on, he asserts, the pigs alone will make all of the decisions—for the good of
every animal.
Napoleon now quickly changes his mind about the windmill, and the animals, especially Boxer, devote their efforts to
completing it. One day, after a storm, the animals find the windmill toppled. The human farmers in the area declare
smugly that the animals made the walls too thin, but Napoleon claims that Snowball returned to the farm to sabotage the
windmill. He stages a great purge, during which various animals who have allegedly participated in Snowball’s great
conspiracy—meaning any animal who opposes Napoleon’s uncontested leadership—meet instant death at the teeth of the
attack dogs. With his leadership unquestioned (Boxer has taken up a second maxim, “Napoleon is always right”),
Napoleon begins expanding his powers, rewriting history to make Snowball a villain. Napoleon also begins to act more
and more like a human being—sleeping in a bed, drinking whisky, and engaging in trade with neighboring farmers. The
original Animalist principles strictly forbade such activities, but Squealer, Napoleon’s propagandist, justifies every action to
the other animals, convincing them that Napoleon is a great leader and is making things better for everyone—despite the
fact that the common animals are cold, hungry, and overworked.
Mr. Frederick, a neighboring farmer, cheats Napoleon in the purchase of some timber and then attacks the farm and
dynamites the windmill, which had been rebuilt at great expense. After the demolition of the windmill, a pitched battle
ensues, during which Boxer receives major wounds. The animals rout the farmers, but Boxer’s injuries weaken him. When
he later falls while working on the windmill, he senses that his time has nearly come. One day, Boxer is nowhere to be
found. According to Squealer, Boxer has died in peace after having been taken to the hospital, praising the Rebellion with
his last breath. In actuality, Napoleon has sold his most loyal and long-suffering worker to a glue maker in order to get
money for whisky.
Years pass on Animal Farm, and the pigs become more and more like human beings—walking upright, carrying whips,
and wearing clothes. Eventually, the seven principles of Animalism, known as the Seven Commandments and inscribed on
the side of the barn, become reduced to a single principle reading “all animals are equal, but some animals are more
equal than others.” Napoleon entertains a human farmer named Mr. Pilkington at a dinner and declares his intent to ally
himself with the human farmers against the laboring classes of both the human and animal communities. He also changes
the name of Animal Farm back to the Manor Farm, claiming that this title is the “correct” one. Looking in at the party of
elites through the farmhouse window, the common animals can no longer tell which are the pigs and which are the
human beings.
3
George Orwell
Eric Blair was born in 1903 in Motihari, Bengal, in the then
British colony of India, where his father, Richard, worked for
the Opium Department of the Civil Service. His mother, Ida,
brought him to England at the age of one. He did not see his
father again until 1907, when Richard visited England for three
months before leaving again until 1912. Eric had an older sister
named Marjorie and a younger sister named Avril. With his
characteristic humor, he would later describe his family's
background as "lower-upper-middle class."
At the age of five, Blair was sent to a small Anglican parish
school in Henley, which his sister had attended before him. He
never wrote of his recollections of it, but he must have impressed the teachers very
favorably for two years later he was recommended to the headmaster of one of the
most successful preparatory schools in England at the time: St Cyprian's School, in
Eastbourne, Sussex. Young Eric attended St Cyprian's on a scholarship that allowed his
parents to pay only half of the usual fees. Many years later, he would recall his time at
St Cyprian's with biting resentment in the essay "Such, Such Were the Joys," but he did
well enough to earn scholarships to both Wellington and Eton colleges.
After a term at Wellington, Eric moved to Eton, where he was a King's Scholar from
1917 to 1921. Later in life he wrote that he had been "relatively happy" at Eton, which
allowed its students considerable independence, but also that he ceased doing serious
work after arriving there. Reports of his academic performance at Eton vary: some claim
he was a poor student, others deny this. It is clear that he was disliked by some of his
teachers, who resented what they perceived as disrespect for their authority. In any
event, during his time at the school Eric made lifetime friendships with a number of
future British intellectuals.
After finishing his studies at Eton, having no prospect of gaining a university scholarship
and his family's means being insufficient to pay his tuition, Eric joined the Indian
Imperial Police in Burma. He resigned and returned to England in 1928 having grown to
hate imperialism (as shown by his first novel Burmese Days, published in 1934, and by
such essays as 'A Hanging', and 'Shooting an Elephant'). He adopted his pen name in
1933, while writing for the New Adelphi. He chose a pen name that stressed his deep,
lifelong affection for the English tradition and countryside: George is the patron saint of
England (and George V was monarch at the time), while the River Orwell in Suffolk was
one of his most beloved English sites.
Orwell lived for several years in poverty, sometimes homeless, sometimes doing
itinerant work, as he recalled in the book Down and Out in Paris and London. He
eventually found work as a schoolteacher until ill health forced him to give this up to
work part-time as an assistant in a secondhand bookshop in Hampstead, an experience
later recounted in the short novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying.
4
Animal Farm Background Presentations
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Choose one of the following people/places/events important in the Russian
Revolution. In a group of 2-3, you will create a handout with pertinent information
on your subject. Only one group is allowed per subject; first come, first served.
With your group you will find at least 3 sources and correctly cite them in an MLA
annotated bibliography. Your sources must come from .org, .edu or AHS library
search sites.
Your handout should include major events in the life of the individual/time period,
should focus on the decisions or ideas made by this person and how they shape
history. What involvement did they have with Russia?
In addition, as we discuss Animal Farm, you will be expected to contribute heavily to
the class discussion when we discuss aspects that were covered in your research.
Choose your topic from the following list:
1. George Orwell: (British) politically active, author of Animal Farm
2. Lenin: father of the Russian Revolution in 1917
3. Karl Marx: German philosopher; father of modern socialism; predicted the
fall of capitalism—the common man would rise up against the capitalist
“bosses”—socialist gov’t would be created.
4. Trotsky: Lenin’s chief lieutenant. Involved in bitter leadership duel with
Stalin after Lenin’s death
5. Stalin: power-hungry dictator of Russia after Lenin.
6. Mussolini: Prime Minister and dictator of Italy (1922-1943); allied with Hitler.
7. Russian Revolution: (1917) political and social upheavals eventually leading
to Soviet power and the establishment of the Soviet Union.
8. Winston Churchill: British politician who served as Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.
9. Hitler: gained power during Germany's period of crisis after World War I;
established a totalitarian dictatorship
10. President Roosevelt: thirty-second President of the United States
Assignment: Create handout with background research on Animal Farm. Focus on the political
involvement or views of this person/time period, especially in connection to Russia.
Turn in annotated bibliography and handout the day following library research time. Handout
should be easy to read, aesthetically appealing, and directly connected to the objectives of this
assignment.
Presentation and project are scored on the following criteria:
_____ / 20
Quality and Effort
_____ / 10
Content is accurate and correct in presentation and bibliography.
_____ / 15
Met guidelines and criteria specified in the assignment.
_____ / 5
Handout is original; group members have put all information in their
own words and attempted to make the handout engaging.
_____ / 50
TOTAL
5
Animal Farm Character Profile
You will be expected to select one character from George Orwell’s Animal Farm
and complete the following components for each character. Include outlining and
drafting stages; although final drafts should be typed, clearly labeled. You will
include the components in a file folder with your name, period, and the
character, which you chose. All paragraphs should be 3 chunks and woven.
Show colors in draft stage. Cite all sources.
* Description-a thorough description of the character. This should include
appearance, history, and the character’s contribution in each chapter. This
should be a bulleted list of no fewer than 15 items. Include a picture drawn by
you with color.
*Symbol. This book is an allegory and therefore, every character represents
someone or something. Describe what symbolism is tied to this character.
Include historical information as well as facts from the story. Example: Moses
and Russian Orthodox Church. Minimum of 2 paragraphs
*Character Specific Task: Each character has a unique topic assigned to it. Refer
to the back of this page. Minimum of 2 paragraphs.
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
*Use of Language. Look at the things the character says. What types of things
do they say? (Look at ideas, word choice, who is spoken to, and when they
speak and how much of the alphabet they remember and know) What do those
things reflect about the character, the position within the society? How does it
affect the plot of the book? 1 paragraph
*Connection to our world: United States 2008. If your character were a person,
what kind of person would s/he be? Provide evidence. What is the purpose of
this type of person in our society? What are the benefits and drawbacks to this
person? Who are examples of this person in 2008? 1 paragraph.
* Fiction. Write a creative story using your own animals to tell the story of a real
historical event. Include a COMPLETE story: exposition, rising action, turning
point, falling action, and resolution.
6
Animal Farm Character Specific Tasks
Boxer
George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to
repeat it.” Explain how Boxer contributes to Animalism. What role does he play in
repeating some of the evils that were originally attributed to Jones? Is Boxer a positive
or negative influence on the society?
Benjamin
It has been said that the greatest evils in the world are a result of mass apathy as much
as individual evil. Explain Benjamin’s contribution to the rise and fall of Animalism.
Squealer
Squealer is a non-traditional leader. How do you define leader? How does Squealer fit
this description? What are good leaders? What, if any, leadership qualities is Squealer
lacking? How does this affect Animal Farm? Explain how he does or does not qualify as a
good leader.
Napolean: Choose one
• Compare the lives of the animals when they live under Jones and under
Napoleon. In what ways has Napoleon proven himself a similar tyrant? Identify
and describe at least three ways in which Napoleon (the boar) built up and held
onto power as a totalitarian leader.
• Compare Snowball's intentions for the windmill with those of Napoleon's. What
do the intentions of each reveal about their character?
Snowball: Choose one
• How it would have been different had Snowball not been driven off and he had
won the election.
• Compare Snowball's intentions for the windmill with those of Napoleon's. What
do the intentions of each reveal about their character?
• Explain why an “enemy” or scapegoat is necessary for the animals. Why does the
“enemy” have to change? If there were no “enemy,” what would that mean for
the society of Animal Farm
Mollie
Explain how one of the novel’s minor characters (such as Mollie) illuminates Orwell’s
major themes and issues.
Mr. Jones
Explain how the human characters contribute to the novel’s themes and issues.
Old Major
Closely examine old Major’s speech to the animals in Chapter 1 and discuss the ways in
which he uses language to persuade his listeners.
7
Animal Farm Response Notes Chapters 1 & 2
A.
Plot: Write 5 CDs about the plot of these pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Select one significant quote in this chapter. Write it below, the include
page number, and describe why it is significant to you.
Page # ________
Quote:
Why:
8
C.
Questions: What questions did you have while you were reading? List
them below. Supply answers when you find them.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Predictions: Describe what you believe is going to happen next
E.
What connections did you make to the “real world”?
1.
2.
3.
9
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 1: (Chapters 1 & 2)
PREWRITING:
Reread Old Major's speech to the animals. List all the main points in order of importance and
indicate the points which you feel hold up and indicate which do not. List any basic flaws in his
reasoning.
10
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 2: (Chapters 1 & 2)
DRAFTING: Write two paragraphs in which you discuss the logic of Old Major's speech. You
need to discuss which arguments are valid and which have flaws. Make sure that each
paragraph has a topic sentence, which summarizes the point of the entire paragraph.
PART OF ESSAY
Topic sentence for
paragraph 1
YOUR EXAMPLE
MEET STANDARD?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? W/3+ cm words?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 1
Topic sentence for
paragraph 2
11
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 2
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? With 3+ cm
words?
12
Long Live Animal Farm!!!!!
Imagine that you are Snowball, and you are visiting a neighboring farm. You are trying
to convince the animals of that farm to join your farm in your rebellion against the
humans. Compose a speech in which you tell the animals not only how you overcame
your human oppressors, but also the benefits of running the farm without their help.
13
Animal Farm Response Notes Chapters 3 & 4
A.
Plot: Write 5 CDs about the plot of these pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Select one significant quote in this chapter. Write it below, the include
page number, and describe why it is significant to you.
Page # ________
Quote:
Why:
14
C.
Questions: What questions did you have while you were reading? List
them below. Supply answers when you find them.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Predictions: Describe what you believe is going to happen next
E.
What connections did you make to the “real world”?
1.
2.
3.
15
Chasing Windmills
The animals have banded together to build a windmill to power their farm. What
do you see when the book described the windmill? Your task is to draw a
picture that not only displays the finer points of the windmill, but also includes
three of the animals that built it.
16
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 1: (Chapters 3 & 4)
List all the ways in which the animals' lives have changed after
they take over the farm. Give examples where possible.
PREWRITING:
17
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 2: (Chapters 3 & 4)
Write two paragraphs in which you discuss the success or failure of
the Rebellion at this point of the novel. Discuss whether the animals are
achieving what they set out to achieve. Why or why not?
DRAFTING:
PART OF ESSAY
Topic sentence for
paragraph 1
YOUR EXAMPLE
MEET STANDARD?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? W/3+ cm words?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 1
Topic sentence for
paragraph 2
18
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 2
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? With 3+ cm
words?
19
Animal Farm Response Notes Chapters 5 & 6
A.
Plot: Write 5 CDs about the plot of these pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Select one significant quote in this chapter. Write it below, the include
page number, and describe why it is significant to you.
Page # ________
Quote:
Why:
20
C.
Questions: What questions did you have while you were reading? List
them below. Supply answers when you find them.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Predictions: Describe what you believe is going to happen next
E.
What connections did you make to the “real world”?
1.
2.
3.
21
It’s a What?????
Animal Farm is not only a great story (who doesn’t love talking pigs?), it is also
what is referred to as an allegory. An allegory is a story or fable that tells a
symbolic message using concrete object or people. In other words, it is story
within a story. For this assignment, each team will be assigned one character
and one object. Their task is to educate the class on not only the person that the
character is representative of, but also to provide a detail analysis of the
symbolic meaning behind the object.
Team 1
Napoleon
The Hoof and Horn
Team 2
Snowball
Sugar Candy Mountain
Team 3
Squealer
The Milk
Team 4
Boxer
Manor Farm
Team 5
Molly
The Windmill
22
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 1: (Chapters 5 & 6)
PREWRITING: Jot down reasons/motivations for Napoleon claiming Snowball's windmill
project as his own. Why does Napoleon decide to have the animals go ahead and build the
windmill after so vigorously opposing it?
23
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 2: (Chapters 5 & 6)
DRAFTING: Write two paragraphs in which you discuss how Napoleon uses the building of the
windmill to further his own interests. Be sure to consider the symbolic significance of the
windmill as well as the actual effects of the labor on the animals.
PART OF ESSAY
Topic sentence for
paragraph 1
YOUR EXAMPLE
MEET STANDARD?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 1
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? W/3+ cm words?
24
Topic sentence for
paragraph 2
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 2
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? With 3+ cm
words?
25
Keeping it Light on the Farm
Directions: Reading Animal Farm to get the literal meaning can be difficult, and
reading it for the symbolic meaning can be even more taxing; what about reading it for
a laugh? There is humor in the book, you just need to be creative with it. Your task is to
find a group of no less than three, but no more than five, and create a three-five minute
skit based on one of the following scenarios:
Commercial: Squealer and Napoleon have decided that the west way to “corral” the
animals into believing in them is through a media blitz centered on television
commercials. Although they have a great script, the actors (the sheep) are having
problems with their lines. Take it from there.
************
Video Games: After an evening of drinking alcohol, the pigs happen upon the human
family’s video game. Halo is difficult enough, but when you have no thumbs…..
************
I will eat harder: Unbeknownst to the animals, while the humans were still in control
of the farm, they rented it out to the Nathan’s Hot Dog chain for July 4th weekend.
Nathan’s is known worldwide for their famous hot dog eating contests. By the evening
of July 3rd, the farm is packed with humans waiting for the contest to begin. Boxer, at
the urging of his fellow animals, enters the contest….
************
Steel Magn—uh—haybales: After finding a fashion magazine left behind by the
humans, Molly becomes fascinated by clothes, makeup, and hair. As a result, she opens
up a beauty shop in the humans’ old garage where all of the female animals on the farm
go to gossip. The males, taking on the brunt of the workload, start to get mad and….
************
As The Windmill Spins: Snowball’s love for the windmill is outweighed only by his
love for Jesse. Napoleon wants to rule the world, but first he must rule his heart, which
belongs to Clover. Molly loves her ribbon, but can’t decide whether she wants Boxer or
Squealer to tie it. Days of Our Lives has nothing on Manor Farm.
Due Date: To Be Determined
Points: 50 points
26
Animal Farm Response Notes Chapters 7 & 8
A.
Plot: Write 5 CDs about the plot of these pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Select one significant quote in this chapter. Write it below, the include
page number, and describe why it is significant to you.
Page # ________
Quote:
Why:
27
C.
Questions: What questions did you have while you were reading? List
them below. Supply answers when you find them.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Predictions: Describe what you believe is going to happen next
E.
What connections did you make to the “real world”?
1.
2.
3.
28
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 1: (Chapters 7 & 8)
PREWRITING: List the visionary ideas originally described by Old Major at the beginning of the
novel. Jot down how these have been altered/changed after his death. To what extent has
Snowball's absence from the farm hastened those changes?
29
Animal Farm Writing Assignment
SECTION 2: (Chapters 7 & 8)
DRAFTING: Write two paragraphs in which you discuss how irony is used to develop the theme
of corruption of ideals in these two chapters.
PART OF ESSAY
Topic sentence for
paragraph 1
YOUR EXAMPLE
MEET STANDARD?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? With 3+ cm
words?
Subject & an opinion?
With 3+ cm words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 1
Topic sentence for
paragraph 2
30
Concrete detail 1
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 1
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concrete detail 2
Is this a detail? What
kind? Transition?
Lead-in? actions?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this an opinion that
extends or explains the
detail? With 3+ cm
words?
Commentary about
detail 2
Is this a different
opinion that extends or
explains? With 3+ cm
words?
Concluding sentence
which summarizes
paragraph 2
Use any similar words
from the paragraph?
Give an overall
opinion of subject in
TS? With 3+ cm
words?
31
The Seven Commandments
Over the course of the novel, the pigs alter the seven commandments listed on
the barn many times. Over the course of the United States’ history, the original
Constitution has been altered many times through amendments. Was Orwell
trying to say that we Americans are pigs? Probably not….but in any case, your
task is to compare and contrast the seven commandments with the amendments
to the U.S. Constitution using a graphic organizer. Unless you are a really good
American, you may have to do some research as to what all of the amendments
are.
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Animal Farm Response Notes Chapters 9 & 10
A.
Plot: Write 5 CDs about the plot of these pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
Select one significant quote in this chapter. Write it below, the include
page number, and describe why it is significant to you.
Page # ________
Quote:
Why:
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C.
Questions: What questions did you have while you were reading? List
them below. Supply answers when you find them.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Predictions: Describe what you believe is going to happen next
E.
What connections did you make to the “real world”?
1.
2.
3.
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Animal Farm Assessment Projects
Choose one assignment from section one, and an additional
assignment from either sections two or three. If you would rather take
a traditional approach, choose one of the topics from section four to
produce a well-crafted essay.
SECTION ONE: Written
1. Write a news article covering the events at the farm as it might have appeared in one of their
hometown newspapers. Some of the details may be invented but try to keep the tone of the
news article the same as the tone in the story.
2. Tell a section of the story from the viewpoint of Napoleon, Snowball, or Benjamin.
3. Imagine you are a television executive that is pitching the idea of Animal Farm: The Series to
a network. Outline the story, and describe how the American public would receive at least
three of the characters.
4. Throughout the story, the animals need a set of guidelines or laws to follow. Create a
constitution for the animals. Address ideas such as freedom, citizenship, law and order,
equality, system of government, etc. Consult the constitution of the Iroquois or of the United
States if you need help coming up with ideas. Your constitution must have at least fifteen
sections to it.
5. Select one of the animals. Write a character sketch of him as he was before and after the
revolution. Use specific references from the text to support your views.
SECTION TWO: Creative
1. Conflict molds a series of events into a plot. Most conflicts involve character vs. society,
character vs. character, character vs. nature, character vs. self, or character vs. fate. Identify
the conflicts in the novel by category and make a visual display that shows their
interrelationships. List the passages (minimum 5) from the book that you used as references.
Explain your display to the class.
2. Discuss the symbols of the book. Make a display of the objects that are symbols in the novel.
Beside each object, prepare a note card that provides quotes from the book to support the
meaning you assign each object. List the passages (minimum 5) from the book that you used
as references.
3. Design a poster advertising the movie version of Animal Farm. List the passages (minimum
5) from the book that you used as references for your poster art. Include two quotes from
the book that expresses one of the themes, along with a cast of characters.
4. Using fabric paint, create a T-shirt that could be sold at a book promotion for Animal Farm.
Include a quotation and/or scene from the story as well as the title of the book. List the
passages (minimum 5) from the book that you used as references.
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5. Draw or paint a "before and after" picture. Create an impression of one of the characters
before the revolution and your impression after. List the passages (minimum 5) from the
book that you used as references for your details of his description.
6. Create a collage of quotations for Napoleon, Snowball, or Benjamin with graphics that
illustrates his personality. Include page numbers for each quotation used.
7. Imagine that an illustrated edition of Animal Farm is going to be released. Choose ten scenes
or events from the book that would make interesting illustrations (cite page numbers).
Describe what the pictures would show and tell where in the book you would insert them.
Finally, tell what criteria you used to make your choices.
8. Paint or draw a key scene from the book. List the passages (minimum 5) from the book that
you used as references for your art. Include a short paragraph that explains your work.
SECTION THREE: Dramatic
1. A monologue is a dramatic presentation with only one speaker. Deliver Old Major’s speeches
and Napoleon’s as monologues. Rewrite lines as necessary
2. Hold a trial of Napoleon or Snowball for their actions. Assign the roles of courtroom
participants, all of whom should use the novel as well as legal sources to prepare. Videotape
your trial.
3. Choose an event in the story and act out that episode. Make the appropriate props, sets, and
costumes. Create your own dialogue and interpretation of the text. Videotape the scene and
show it to the class.
4. Incorporate music, videos, and pictures to develop a multimedia presentation. Include the
various themes and characters in the book.
SECTION FOUR: Formal Essay
1. In a well-crafted essay, compare and contrast the book version of Animal Farm with the
movie version. Be sure to introduce your topic, provide at least two similar elements and
two different elements, and close your essay. Lastly, make sure to make specific
references to the text (with page numbers).
2. In a well-crafted essay, compare and contrast Animal Farm with our own government. Be
sure to introduce your topic, provide at least two similar elements and two different
elements, and close your essay. Lastly, make sure to make specific references to the
text (with page numbers).
3. In a well-crafted essay, compare and contrast Animal Farm with the Russian Revolution.
Be sure to introduce your topic, provide at least two similar elements and two different
elements, and close your essay. Lastly, make sure to make specific references to the
text (with page numbers).
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4. Protagonists and antagonists are often described as heroes and villains, but the concept
goes much deeper than that. The two are opposing forces that may change over the
course of a story. In a concise essay, identify one character from Animal Farm that
serves as both protagonist and antagonist at different times. Be sure to include specific
references to the text to support your essay.
5. Conflict is a central theme to any good story, and Animal Farm is no different. Create a
well-balanced essay in which you introduce the idea of conflict in AF, using at least three
different examples of conflict (supported by specific references in the text). Be sure to
provide a solid closing paragraph where you not only summarize, but extend the topic.
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