Three words you will find useful when reading this novel:
Allegory
Anthropomorphism
Fable
An allegory is a short piece of writing which contains two coherent meanings. 'Animal Farm' is a political allegory as it has deeper references to the Russian Revolution.
All the animals in the book are anthropomorphic: they are seen to think and talk like humans. Can you think of any other examples of anthropomorphic characters?
Fables are short stories, which make use of the anthropomorphic characters to deliver a moral.
Here are three fables:
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Questions and Homework on Chapter 1
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Further Questions on Chapter 1, plus Persuasive Speeches
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Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream' speech
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Questions on Chapter 2
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The Russian Revolution
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Speaking and Listening Task - Research the Russian Revolution
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Evaluation Sheets
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Before Reading Chapter 7: Watch this comparison between 'Animal Farm' and the Russian revolution: Now watch this summary of the connections between 'Animal Farm' and the Russian Revolution'.
Chapter 7: clip from the film: http://youtu.be/CZKxmQ3oYBU
Questions on Chapter 7
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The Seven Commandments:
Questions on Chapters 8 and 9:
Chapter Eight
“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”
1. How have the relationships between the animals and Napoleon changed?
2. What other examples can you find of the pigs using their power in a corrupt way?
Chapter Nine
1. Have the animals really benefited from the changes at “Animal farm”?
2. How does Squealer manage to convince the animals that their lives are better?
3. What further evidence is there, in this chapter, of “absolute power corrupting absolutely”?
4. Why is Boxer´s death a tragedy?
5. How does Squealer use Boxer´s death?
Political Speech
Speaking and Listening Activity
You are going to create your own political party. Your ideas and theories can be based on anything (must be checked with the teacher). You can have any ideology you like, although it shouldn´t be too silly. There is a political party in the U.K. called The Monster Raving Loony Party!
Example
The Football Supporters Party
Ideas and theories
· People must always wear the football kit of their chosen team
· 90% of school time must be spent training and playing football. The remaining 10% will be spent on lessons on: the history of football, football statistics, football journalism and the science of football coaching and training.
· The head teachers at all school s will be known as the managers
· Companies such as Megamart must change their names to Footiemart and must ensure that at least 50% of products are football related
· Only football will be shown on television as a sport
Your own political party
Party Name
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ideas and theories
You now have to write a speech. The purpose of the speech is to convince your audience to support your party. You should use rhetorical devices in your speech such as rhetorical questions, hyperbole, contrast and groups of three.
Your speech should last one minute minimum and three minutes maximum!
See the end of the planning sheet for connectives and openings to help to structure your speech.
Ideas for Speech:
Introduction
First Point
Second Point
Third Point
Fourth Point
Conclusion
Connectives:
However, therefore, in contrast, in comparison, in the same way, in conclusion, in comparison, but, then, because, and, as a result, for example, for instance, besides, after all, alternatively, in fact, even though, in addition
Openings and sequencing:
My first point, my second point, in conclusion, in the first place, my primary focus will be, my secondary focus will be, at the beginning, in the middle, at the end, children, young people, old people, in the past, in the present, in the future, in Alicante, in Spain, in Europe, in Spain, in Europe, in the world.
Your Presentation
Use the self assessment sheet to help you with your planning. There are three parts to the assessment:
· Planning and preparing an effective speech
· Talking in a purposeful and imaginative way
· Listening to other speeches and responding to them effectively
Animal Farm by George Orwell: Final Assessment
This final essay will assess your reading and writing abilities, in direct response to the novel “Animal Farm”. You should use all of your notes and responses from the novel in your answer. All of the quotations you have collected, the notes on allegory, Stalin, Russia and rhetoric are also useful.
Essay Title
To what extent do you agree that the novel “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is an allegory stating that “absolute power corrupts absolutely”?
What am I looking for?
· Your answer is detailed and refers to characters and events in the novel, using quotations as evidence to support your ideas.
· You explain your personal point of view (interpretation) carefully. You use PEE, where the explanation clearly develops your ideas and informs the reader how your quotation helps to support your point of view
· Each idea is in separate paragraphs
· Research – you have used the information on Russia, Stalin and allegory to answer the question and support your point of view. You are also able to discuss the use of rhetoric and propaganda in the novel
· Communication – your essay is logically structured and uses PEE
· Judgement – having read the novel and collected a range of quotations you are able to select appropriate evidence to support your discussion of the novel. Remember that a “to what extent do you agree” task requires you to look at both sides of the statement.
Planning
My opening statement
Evidence from the novel I can use to support my ideas – part one
Evidence from the novel I can use to support my ideas – part two
Evidence from the novel I can use to support my ideas – part three
Links with Russia and Stalin
Comments on allegory and rhetoric and why Orwell uses them
Looking at both sides
