The connection between shifting language and shifting ideology in 'Animal Farm'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the pigs' shifting language represents their shifting ideologies in 'Animal Farm'.
Key learning points
- We see the pigs' language shifting throughout 'Animal Farm'.
- Arguably, this shift reflects ideological shifts.
- For example, the shifting place name represents the pigs' shifting ideology around Animalism.
- Potentially, Orwell might be commenting on how language can be used to rewrite history.
Keywords
Perception - the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted
Manipulation - to control or influence something or someone so that you get an advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly
Ideology - a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory
Intention - something that you want and plan to do; an aim
Tentative - not definite or certain
Common misconception
Language cannot change facts.
The language that we use to present facts can alter people's perception of the facts and therefore, in essence, change the facts.
Teacher tip
You may wish to connect the pigs' shifting ideology to the language of the Russian Revolution and Stalin's shift away from this ideology.
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What happens at the end of Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
Q2.'Something that you want and plan to do; an aim' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Q3.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the seven commandments are used to show the principles of __________.
Q4.Which of the following are pronouns that suggests collective identity and unity?
Q5.Which of the following best describes the government of the pigs in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'?
Q6.Which of the following is the definition of tentative?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following words would you use to show a tentative opinion?
Q2.'The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted' is the definition of which of the following?
Q3.At the end of Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the farm is called " Farm".
Q4.Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “Comrades!” he cried. “You do not imagine, I hope, that pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege?”
Q5.'To control or influence something or someone so that you get an advantage, often unfairly or dishonestly' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Q6.'A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: The connection between shifting language and shifting ideology in 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: The connection between shifting language and shifting ideology in 'Animal Farm', 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’: language manipulation and control unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.