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Year 11
AQA

Writing a nuanced response on the manipulation of language in 'Animal Farm'

I can write a nuanced response on the manipulation of language and control in Orwell’s 'Animal Farm'.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

Writing a nuanced response on the manipulation of language in 'Animal Farm'

I can write a nuanced response on the manipulation of language and control in Orwell’s 'Animal Farm'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. An essay should have a strong central argument.
  2. Use an evaluative or critical thesis to 'hang' your essay on and support with clear topic sentences.
  3. Analysis of writer's methods should be interwoven and used to support each other.
  4. Essays should focus on the writer’s intentions - the conclusion is an opportunity to summarise this.

Keywords

  • Nuanced - has subtle details that make it complex and interesting

  • Manipulate - to control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly

  • Complex - involving a lot of different but related parts

  • Complicit - the fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong

Common misconception

Using counter-arguments throughout your essay makes it a stronger argument.

You should have one clear, critical response to the question that informs your whole essay.


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: Writing a nuanced response on the manipulation of language in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could ask pupils to write their response as homework or during the next lesson if you would like to spend more time conceptualising and planning the response.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You may wish to have a copy of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' for this lesson.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In an analytical essay, which of the following is the definition of a thesis statement?
explains the focus of the individual paragraph
summarises the individual paragraph
Correct answer: explains the overarching argument
Q2.
In an analytical paragraph, which of the following should a topic sentence do?
include analysis of methods
summarise the paragraph
Correct answer: explain the focus of the paragraph
Q3.
'To control something or someone to your advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Correct Answer: manipulate, manipulative, manipulation, Manipulate
Q4.
'Something that you want and plan to do; an aim' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Correct Answer: intention, intentions, intent, Intention
Q5.
'Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Correct Answer: oppression, oppress , Oppression
Q6.
What is a paradox?
A politically divisive statement.
Correct answer: A seemingly contradictory statement.
A statement in a fixed order that has a particular meaning.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which discourse marker is the most appropriate to begin a concluding sentence?
Moreover
On the other hand
Correct answer: Thus
Q2.
Match the single paragraph outline component with the definition.
Correct Answer:thesis statement,overarching argument of the entire essay

overarching argument of the entire essay

Correct Answer:topic sentence,explains the focus of an individual paragraph

explains the focus of an individual paragraph

Correct Answer:supporting detail,analysis of methods

analysis of methods

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,summarises the individual paragraph

summarises the individual paragraph

Q3.
Place the elements of a conclusion in chronological order.
1 - specific response to your thesis
2 - focus of writer’s overall intentions
3 - impact of text today
Q4.
'The fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Correct Answer: complicit, complicity, Complicit
Q5.
Which of the following means 'involving a lot of different but related parts'?
complete
Correct answer: complex
compatible
Q6.
'Has subtle details that make it complex and interesting' is the definition of which word beginning with 'n'?
Correct Answer: nuanced, nuance , Nuanced