Order 907426: Animal Farm

Year 10 - Critical Study of a Novel

Animal Farm Essay ALARM Scaffold

THE STATEMENT: “Animal Farm is a text which lacks literary value due to its irrelevant thematic messages, simplistic style and outdated contextual concerns.”

Evaluate this statement in relation to your prescribed text.

DECONSTRUCT AND DEFINE THE STATEMENT: Highlight the key words in the essay statement, define them and come up with a short list of synonyms for them. What exactly is the question asking you to do? What is your focus?

THESIS: [This is the most important part of your essay] What is your line of argument in response to the statement? (ie what are your reasons for agreeing or

disagreeing with the statement?) This sets the parameters of your discussion.

INTRODUCTION: (Paragraph 1) 1. Engage with the statement in an attention grabbing opening sentence. (eg quote, insightful statement, anecdote etc)

2. Introduce your text (Animal Farm - the title should always be underlined) and the composer (George Orwell) and show your understanding of the

keywords in the essay statement.

3. State your thesis (see above) – what exactly will you be arguing throughout your essay? What is your position on the given statement and what are the

arguments that you’ll be using to prove your position?

4. End your introduction with a summative sentence giving an overall judgment on the novella – what you’ve learnt from it & its overall value.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

NAME & DEFINE

T

DISCUSS & EXPLAIN

E

EVIDENCE & ANALYSIS Identify -> Example -> Effect

E

EVALUATE & CONCLUDE L

Topic sentence/ thesis statement: Use the language of the question and introduce your main argument (what topic will you be discussing

Explain your argument in concise detail. Be specific in your discussion. You must show breadth and depth in your knowledge of the novella. Note: Each of your arguments must be supported with evidence (i.e quotes &

Support your argument with well-selected evidence. You need to discuss the ‘how’ & ‘why’ here. How are your arguments shown (ie techniques) and why (analysis)? You need to select strong quotes from the text that support your arguments. Discuss the techniques that are used by the composer to

Link your arguments and use of techniques & analysis back to the essay statement. i.e. how Orwell succeeds in making the text relevant and valuable for his audience. Evaluate your discussion ie make an

in your paragraph?)

techniques)

explore these ideas. i.e. identify the techniques in the quotes you selected and explain their effect = how it shows your argument. Remember to analyse a variety of techniques. Rule of thumb is that you need to include at least one technique per argument. Aim for 3-4 techniques per paragraph. Then you need to discuss why – why did Orwell choose his themes, style & characters in the way that he did? What are the effects of these choices?

overall judgement of what Orwell did in his novel. Does it have literary value? Concluding sentence: Summarise how you answered the essay statement in the paragraph you wrote.

Paragraph 2:

Themes

(Select 2 examples)

Discuss two key themes that Orwell explores throughout Animal Farm. In your discussion, show breadth of knowledge ie begin -> middle -> end) Are these themes irrelevant or relevant?

HOW? [Aim for at least 2 techniques per theme] Theme 1: Argument Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link Theme 2: Argument Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link WHY?

Address the statement, restating your argument: Reaffirm how the exploration of these particular themes adds or detracts to the novel’s ongoing relevance and literary value.

Paragraph 3:

Style

(Select 3-4 examples)

How does the composer’s craft and the stylistic choices he has made contribute to the text being or not being ‘simplistic’? Here you are to discuss the novella’s style e.g. its form, genre etc

HOW? Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link WHY?

Address the statement, restating your argument: Reaffirm the role of style in keeping or not keeping the novel interesting and engaging for its audience.

Paragraph 4:

Context

(Select at least 2 examples)

Discuss the ways in which Orwell’s text parallels moments in history and in modern day events. Discuss also the characters who parallel with historical figures. What roles do they play in making the text still valid to a contemporary audience?

HOW? Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link Technique, quote, effect, link WHY?

Address the statement, restating your argument: Reaffirm how the novella’s allegorical representations of Russian history and its parallels to modern day events & characters contributes to the novel’s literary value.

SUMMATION/ OVERALL EVALUATION: (Paragraph 5) Address the essay statement again and summarise the main arguments you presented in your body paragraphs. Do not simply rewrite your introduction. Make an overall judgement about the literary value of the text and sum up what has been learned about its themes, the style of the text and its use of historical allegory. End your essay with a bang! i.e. Leave the reader with a strong final impression.

Essay Writing Checklist

Content Self Y/ N

Teacher Y/ N

Introduction

a. Addressed the statement set and showed your understanding of it.

b. Thesis was included. Did you have a clear line of argument?

c. Included a summative sentence by giving your overall personal judgment on

the novella – what you’ve learnt from it & its overall value.

Body

a. Topic sentences were included which addressed the statement set and stated

what will be discussed (ie your thesis statement).

b. Thesis was explained in detail by discussing the specified aspects of the text.

c. Techniques were used to support thesis consistently i.e. every argument

which was made was supported with evidence.

d. The Identify -> Example -> Effect method was used every time when

discussing techniques.

e. The techniques which were selected were appropriate and relevant to the

argument presented.

f. Techniques were varied and not repetitive.

g. An analysis of your argument was included ie ‘why’.

h. Concluding sentences were included to link your discussion back to the essay

statement.

i. An evaluation was included of your discussion ie you made an overall

judgment of Orwell’s novella.

Conclusion

a. A conclusion was included.

b. The thesis was restated and the novella was discussed and summarised in

terms of the statement given.