Essay Prompt: Animal Farm
Background:
We have been examining the use of propaganda, or using language and
manipulation to get your way, in the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. Napoleon
and his speech writer Squealer craftily use propaganda to confuse, influence, and keep
the other animals on the farm under control, as well as to make outsiders think that
Animal Farm was successful.
There are eight types of propaganda that are commonly recognized: 1) name calling,
2) glittering generalities, 3) euphemisms, 4) transfer, 5) testimonial, 6) plain folks,
7) bandwagon, and 8) fear.
Prompt:
Which type of propaganda did the pigs use to their advantage most effectively and
why do you think that type of propaganda worked so well on these animals?
Decide on a thesis statement that best answers the above question and stick to it
throughout your essay.
Write an introduction that states the author’s name and the title, gives a brief
summary of the plot, briefly discusses the use of propaganda in the novel, and clearly
states your thesis statement.
Decide on three specific examples. It is imperative that the example you use also
has a direct quote from the novel. Make sure that the quote flows in the sentence and is
not simply plopped in the middle of a paragraph. Be sure to analyze the situation where
the type of propaganda is used and discuss why the use of the type of propaganda you
mention was successful in that situation.
Finally, write a conclusion that sums up your ideas brilliantly.
•Never use first (I, me, my, us, we) or second (you, your) person pronouns.
•Never ask rhetorical questions, or any questions for that manner, unless it is in a direct
quote from the novel.
•Never use contractions (don’t, won’t, can’t).
•Never skip a line between paragraphs.
•Always use present, or active, tense – “Squealer tells the animals…” NOT “Squealer
told the animals…”
•Always use Times New Roman, 12-point font.
•Always double space you’re your paper.
•Always format your papers in properly, INCLUDING a title and last name and page
number in the right hand corner.
This essay should be five paragraphs. The rough draft will be due Monday, May 3, 2010
for peer editing. The final draft will be due the following day, Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
This essay will be worth 60 points.