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Analysing form and structure in 'Animal Farm'

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can explain how form and structure have been used to explore Orwell's viewpoints.

Key learning points

  1. Arguably, the pigs taking the milk and apples is the turning point of the novella.
  2. The fable form is used to illustrate there are (many) morals to this story.
  3. Orwell uses the simplistic form of a fable to help put forward his messages.
  4. The main motifs are food and the military.

Keywords

  • Genre - This categorises texts based on conventions and themes.

  • Conventions - The features you would expect to find in a given genre.

  • Motif - A dominant or recurring idea or theme.

  • Moral - Being moral means you have high standards of what is right and wrong.

  • Accessible - Easily understood.

Common misconception

That 'Animal Farm' is a simple story about leadership and power.

Stylistically it is simple, but why does Orwell do this? What does he hope to achieve by making his novella accessible?

Teacher tip

Preparing and sharing a model paragraph on Orwell's use of form and structure can help develop student responses.

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What did Orwell originally call his novella? 'Animal Farm: __________'

Correct answer: a fairy story.
a fable.
an allegory.
a history of the Russian revolution.

Q2.
What word beginning with 'F' describes a 'short story, typically with animals, that has a moral message'?

Correct Answer: Fable, fable, fable. , Fable.

Q3.
Which statements about George Orwell are correct?

He was writing at the same time as Charles Dickens.
He wanted to stomp down on the ordinary working people when he fought in Spain.
He wanted to get out of fighting in World War II because he was scared.
Correct answer: He attended Eton on a scholarship.
Correct answer: He worked for the BBC for two years.

Q4.
Which reasons does Squealer give to convince the other animals that the pigs need to eat the milk and apples in 'Animal Farm'?

He says that the pigs deserve the apples because they are the best animals.
He says they only eat them to protect the other animals.
Correct answer: He lies and says that the apples and milk are essential for the welfare of pigs.
Correct answer: He refers to scientific research to show that the pigs need the apples.
He says that no-one had ever said that the apples would be shared.

Q5.
Which character says this in 'Animal Farm': "And remember also that in fighting against a man, we must not come to resemble him."

Snowball
Squealer
Correct answer: Old Major
Napoelon

Q6.
Which character says this in 'Animal Farm': "I have no wish to take a life, not even human life."

Benjamin
Mollie
Clover
Muriel
Correct answer: Boxer

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word beginning with 'M' refers to the standards of what is right and wrong?

Correct Answer: Moral, moral, Morals, Morality

Q2.
Which of the following is not a convention of a fable?

Simple and basic.
Animals are the protagonists.
Correct answer: Detailed descriptions of setting.
Good overcomes evil.

Q3.
According to Orwell, what is the turning point in 'Animal Farm'?

The animals rebel against Mr. Jones
Old Major's speech
The battle of the cowshed
Correct answer: The pigs take the milk and apples
Boxer's death

Q4.
Complete this quote from 'Animal Farm': “Never mind the milk, comrades!” cried Napoleon,__________"

Correct answer: placing himself in front of the buckets.
moving the buckets towards him.
hiding the buckets.
the milk doesn't matter.

Q5.
In 'Animal Farm' which images can be found on the flag?

A hoof and horse shoe.
A whip and chain.
Correct answer: A hoof and horn.
Milk and apples.
A horse and pig.

Q6.
In his preface, what does Orwell predict that reviewers will say about 'Animal Farm'?

Correct answer: "A dull, silly book and a grateful waste of paper".
"A boring, ridiculous book that should never have been written".
"A frivolous account of the Russian Revolution."
"A ghastly fairy story about pigs."

To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Analysing form and structure in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...