The manipulation of language in Orwell's 'Animal Farm'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the manipulation of the law and commandments creates a sense of control in 'Animal Farm'.
Key learning points
- Orwell believed in the power of language and how it can be used to corrupt and control people.
- Arguably, we see this corruption and control through the pigs' manipulation of the commandments.
- Potentially, we might consider the commandments as representing religious language.
- Therefore, we may think that Orwell is commenting on how religion can corrupt and control people.
Keywords
Manipulation - an action designed to influence or control another person, usually in an underhanded or unfair manner
Commandments - a divine rule, especially one of the Ten Commandments
Control - the power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events
Corruption - dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery
Absolute - something complete, unconditional and final
Common misconception
The concept of truth is something that cannot be changed.
Our perception of what it true can be altered by those around us.
Teacher tip
You might extend the conversation around religion and control to include Moses' description of Sugarcandy Mountain (which is arguably representative of heaven) and how the pigs allow Moses to remain and spread his ideas.
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.Who wrote 'Animal Farm'?
Q2.'The power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q3.Put the events of 'Animal Farm' in chronological order.
Q4.Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is typically interpreted as an allegory for the Revolution.
Q5.'Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q6.'An action designed to influence or control another person, usually in an underhanded or unfair manner' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the seven rules of Animalism are known as the .
Q2.Complete the quotation from Orwell's 'Animal Farm': “All animals are equal, but some animals are than others.”
Q3.Which of the following are connotations of the word "commandment"?
Q4.At the beginning of Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the commandments are described as being which of the following?
Q5.In Orwell's 'Animal Farm', which of the following are true of the commandments?
Q6.'Something complete, unconditional and final' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: The manipulation of language in Orwell's '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 manipulation of language in Orwell's '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.