Planning and writing an 'Animal Farm' essay
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan and write an extended and developed response to 'Animal Farm'.
Key learning points
- Reading the question and picking out key words is useful in order to understand its expectations.
- Planning key points helps to create an overarching argument.
- Single paragraph outlines are useful in creating a detailed plan for the main body of an essay.
- Using success criteria is an effective way to help write an essay.
Keywords
Hypocritical - To behave in a way that contradicts supposed beliefs or feelings.
Manipulative - To use controlling behaviours to gain power over another or get them to behave in a certain way.
Hierarchy - A system which positions people in relation to status or power.
Dependent - To need the support of someone or something in order to exist.
Common misconception
That quotes in essays need to be long and are difficult to remember.
Can you remember anything Boxer says? How about words used to describe characters? Any of the commandments? These are all key quotes.
Teacher tip
Give students time to share planning and ideas before writing the essay. It's a good way to consolidate ideas and begin to embed the process of essay writing and construction.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'Animal Farm' which pig says, "Surely, comrades, you do not want Jones back?"
Q2.In 'Animal Farm' which pig is described as having "a reputation for getting his own way"?
Q3.In 'Animal Farm' which pig teaches the animals to bleat: "four legs good, two legs better"?
Q4.Which sentence best describes Snowball from 'Animal Farm'?
Q5.What reason does Squealer give for the pigs taking all the apples and milk in 'Animal Farm'?
Q6.In 'Animal Farm', how does Napoleon get the hens to lay eggs for him to sell?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the primary purpose of creating single paragraph outlines in the essay writing process?
Q2.What does the word 'hypocritical' mean?
Q3.Which word beginning with 'D', describes a need for the support of someone or something in order to exist?
Q4.What are the key words in this essay question: In 'Animal Farm' how does Orwell explore the theme of corruption through the pigs?
Q5.Which of these topic sentences does not use a discourse marker?
Q6.Which of these sentences does not belong in a conclusion?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Planning and writing an 'Animal Farm' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Planning and writing an 'Animal Farm' essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Animal Farm: the pigs and power unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.