Hello, and welcome to the lesson.

Thank you for joining me today.

I'm Mrs. Butterworth and I will be guiding you through the lesson, which is all about unpacking essay questions and writing thesis statements.

Now, I'm sure a lot of you are used to just reading the question really quickly and delving into the writing, but hopefully today, I will show you how important it is to use that question as a part of your planning and writing process.

So let's go.

So by the end of the lesson, you'll be able to identify the key words in a question and then use these to create a thesis statement.

So before we begin, there are a few keywords we need to be aware of to help our understanding of the lesson.

These are thesis, inevitable, hierarchy, and annotate.

Read the definitions.

You may want to pause the video to give yourself time to do this.

So the outline of our lesson, unpacking questions, and writing thesis statements looks like this.

So we're going to start with the question.

So we're gonna spend some time looking at those keywords and how they can guide our responses.

So that first section is called Unpacking questions.

And then we're going to move on to look at how these keywords can help us to write a thesis statement.

So let's start with our first part, Unpacking questions.

So reading and annotating questions is an important part of the planning process.

It may feel like it's a waste of time or it's taking a long time, but once you start to do this and get into the habit of it, it will get so much quicker and it's so useful.

So let's look at the success criteria and the question.

So the question is, how does Orwell use Snowball to explore ideas around leadership in 'Animal Farm?' And let's look at the success criteria.

So you need to choose relevant quotations.

You need to analyse language in detail, and you need to discuss how Orwell uses the pigs to express his ideas about society and politics.

So pause the video, and discuss how do the question and success criteria link? And what do you think might be the key words in the question? Some great ideas happening there, that was quite a tricky thing to figure out.

So let's just feedback some of our answers.

Now our first key word is the how.

And we see how a lot in English questions, and what this refers to is the analysis of language, the analysis of language devices or structural features and character arcs.

So we can see there in that see that success criteria, we need to analyse language in detail, and that's our how.

And obviously, quotes are essential for language analysis.

So that key word "how" is talking about how the writer really uses language and structure in their writing.

So our next key word is "Snowball," so use "Snowball" because this tells us that the focus of the question is on Snowball.

And this tells us that the response that we write should link to his key points in the novella and how Orwell uses them to explore ideas around leadership.

So our response should focus primarily on Snowball.

And then the next key word is that "leadership." So we've identified the focus of the character, now we've identified the focus, the theme focus, and this is leadership.

And this key word links to the wider themes of the novella.

So in your response, what you should do is you should be using Snowball as a springboard to then examine other characters in relation to this theme.

And you can see here in the success criteria, it links to that bottom point.

Discuss how Orwell uses the pigs to express his ideas about society and politics.

So you can see how those key words can really help give us clues about how to shape our responses.

So let's look at another example of an essay question.

So here's the question.

How does Orwell use Napoleon to explore ideas around the corruption of power? So I'm gonna think about those key words again.

So that question stem, the how, who the character focus is, and what the theme focus is.

So I've underlined those words.

So our "how," "Napoleon" is the character focus in relation to the theme of corruption and power.

So you can see those key words there really leading us to what we need to write about in our responses.

So now it's your turn.

So here's an essay question.

How does Orwell use Squealer to explore ideas around methods of control and manipulation? I would like you to now underline the key words in the question.

Fantastic, well done, excellent! I had lots of right answers there, which is really promising.

So yep, our key words are "how," our other key word is "Squealer," so our character focus, and then our key themes for this response are "methods of control and manipulation." Well done, everyone.

Okay, so now we understand the key focus of the questions.

This can be a really good way to start using this to develop ideas for a response.

So once we get the key questions, we can then start to annotate, make notes around the question to get our initial ideas down.

So the how.

I'm always thinking, which analytically rich quotes could we use to best demonstrate Snowball's leadership? So I'm using that question to make me think about, which quotes are going to be best to explore Snowball.

So the ones that I have picked are, "those ribbons that you are so devoted to are the badge of slavery." "He himself dashed straight for Jones." Now I'm thinking about Snowball.

So what are the key points in the novella that I could use as an example to demonstrate Snowball's leadership? And you can see here in annotating this, I'm getting lots of ideas, and I'm thinking about the Battle of the Cowshed is a really important part where he fights bravely, and this really shows his determination.

And a second key plot point for Snowball is when he is expelled from the farm.

And then our final keyword, "leadership." So what I'm thinking about here when I'm looking and annotating this question is where else in the novella do we see the theme of leadership being explored and what is Orwell's viewpoint? So in this third key word, it's a really good opportunity to start considering Orwell's purpose, as well as other characters and themes.

So I'm thinking about leadership, and I'm saying that, "Orwell uses the pigs to compare leadership styles." I'm also thinking about the fact that Napoleon is a totalitarian leader and very different to Snowball.

So I'm bringing it back to that character focus and how Orwell is using this theme and these characters to show how leadership becomes a corrupting force, and the inevitability of hierarchy.

So we can see how once we have underlined those key words, we can really annotate or start making notes to really help us plan and write and effective response.

Okay, so question time.

The "how" in a question refers to what? Well done, everyone, yes, that's right.

So the how refers to the language and structural choices.

So this is where we're gonna demonstrate how we can analyse quotes in our responses.

We have already reached our first practise task.

Well done, everyone.

So I'm gonna give you an essay question and that is how does Orwell use pigs to explore ideas around power and inequality? And what I would like you to do, is first, I would like you to underline the key words like we practised at the very start of this lesson.

And then I would like you, secondly to annotate, so make notes around the key words with your initial ideas, exactly like we have just done.

So think about including key quotes, plot points for the key character, and those links to other characters and themes.

Okay.

so pause the video, and I look forward to seeing your answers.

Well done, everyone.

Really great work! I enjoyed seeing how you all picked out those key words and are beginning to use them to make really excellent annotations.

So let's just feed back some of those ideas.

So the first key word is our how.

And the quotes that I've picked in relation to the question are, "That all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." 'Cause, for me, I feel in the novella, this is a really key quote that links to those ideas of inequality.

And then the other thing I have picked is, "It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples." Because I think this is a really good quote, again, that links to the characters and links to the theme.

So our next key word that I've underlined is "the pigs" 'cause that's our character focus.

And I think the plot points that I will focus on, although there are many, but the ones that I have chosen are, "The continual changing of the commandments and the use of 'whips and brass-studded collars.

' So I think for me, those changing of the commandments and the using of the whips and the dogs is a really good example of how the pigs are gaining power, and also creating inequality.

And again, our final key words are "power and inequality." So again, I'm gonna really link my annotations to Orwell's purpose.

So, "Orwell uses the pigs to demonstrate how power is gained and maintained in totalitarian regimes." So I'm gonna make sure I refer to this in my essay.

He suggests that, True equality is idealistic and that there will always be hierarchies." So you can see how I've started to use those final key words to think about Orwell's purpose and those key themes.

So we are swiftly moving on to the second part of our lesson, which is all about writing a thesis statement.

So we're going to use those key words from the questions and explore how we can use those key words and ideas to write really effective thesis statements.

I'm sure you are all wondering, "What is a thesis statement?" So let's look a little bit deeper into what that means.

So a thesis statement is the overarching argument of your essay.

It's a sentence or two that summarises the main focus of your response, and is usually found near the end of an introduction paragraph.

So your thesis statement is all about summarising the main argument that you are going to make in your essay.

Before writing a thesis statement, we'll need to consider our answer to the question and our viewpoint.

So let's look at the question, it's the one from earlier.

So how does Orwell use Snowball to explore ideas around leadership in 'Animal Farm?' So I want us to think about all the annotations that we looked at, at the start of this lesson.

And I'd just like you to think how might you answer this question? Pause the video so you can discuss your ideas or think about your answers to that question.

Well done, some really good initial ideas.

Now, just in case you're struggling, something I find that really helps me is to break the question down further into simpler questions.

So think about this, What type of leader is Snowball? And what is Orwell using Snowball to comment on? So breaking the question down into some smaller questions can really help us find a viewpoint or argument.

So, pause a video so you can discuss what type of leader is Snowball? And what is Orwell using Snowball to comment on? Pause the video, and we'll gather ideas in a moment.

Great, I can see how those two questions have really helped you develop those answers further.

So that's really great, seeing how breaking the question down into some further questions, can really help us formulate some ideas.

So let's share.

So we know that, "Snowball is presented as intellectual, innovative, and dedicated to the principles of Animalism." So that could be a really good starting place for our thesis statement.

We know that "Orwell uses Snowball to comment on the idealism of intellectuals.

He is presented as a more favourable leader, however, he still accepts the established hierarchy revealing his flaws." So again, using those two questions to break down the question, we've got some really good overarching arguments there.

So true or false time.

A thesis statement is found in the conclusion of your essay, true or false? Wow, some really speedy answers there, well done! Yeah, that's false, excellent! Okay, now we need to justify the answer.

Yes, well done! It is found at the end of an introduction paragraph.

So this is a really good thing to think about when we come to think about starting our responses.

So now let's look in a little bit more depth at what a good thesis statement should look like.

So it should be something that you want to argue or prove, and we need to think about the writer's purpose carefully.

So let's look at an example of how we can structure a really effective thesis statement.

So here it is.

"Through the presentation of Snowball as an idealistic and intellectual leader, Orwell makes his readers consider the unrealistic nature of extreme political ideals." So let's unpick this to see what makes it successful.

So that first part, "Through the presentation of Snowball," has a clear focus on the question.

So we know that the question was focused on the character Snowball.

I've then used some specific adjectives to describe the character in question.

So again, we're narrowing the focus of our argument down even further.

So I'm suggesting that he's "idealistic and intellectual," and this gives me something to unpick as my response moves on.

And I've also linked to Orwell's purpose and his message by saying "Orwell makes his reader consider," which is a really good sentence starter to use when considering a writer's purpose.

So "Orwell makes his readers consider the unrealistic nature of extreme political ideals." And then finally, I've put forward a point of view, and I'm suggesting what I will cover in the response.

So I'm going to talk about, "Snowball as an idealistic and intellectual leader," and I'm also going to talk about, "The unrealistic nature of extreme political ideas and how this is explored by Orwell." Okay, so now we know what a good thesis statement looks like.

Let's look at one and think about how we could improve it.

So here's a thesis statement.

"Snowball is a better leader showing that all leaders are power hungry and corruptible." So pause the video just to give yourself time to discuss and think about how could you improve the thesis statement? Off you go.

Excellent, I had some really great ideas there of how we could improve this thesis statement.

So let's just share some of those.

Okay, so this first sentence, "`Snowball is a better leader." Now this isn't specific enough.

"Better leader," doesn't really tell us anything in particular.

So like the other thesis statement, using some adjectives will really help give this statement the focus to the statement, and the response as a whole.

So you might say something like, "Snowball is presented as an innovative and strategic leader." So you can see how "Snowball is a better leader," becomes more specific and focused using those two adjectives.

So he's not just better, he's an innovative and strategic leader.

And the next thing, it doesn't explicitly link to Orwell's purpose.

So it just says that, "Snowball's better at showing that all leaders are." So again, using words like "reveals," "considers," and "explores," can really elevate your thesis statements.

And using Orwell's name or the writer's name in your thesis statement, again, makes the thesis statement much more focused on the question.

So here I've used the statement, "Orwell reveals the corruptible nature of power and the susceptibility of all leaders." So using those adjectives and using those sentence starters like, "Orwell reveals, or "Orwell considers," can really elevate those statements, but also make it much more focused and specific.

And then finally, we've got "Snowball is a." So this could be even better if it made clearer links to the question.

So using phrases like, "Through the presentation of," or "Through the characterization of," really speaks directly to the how part of the question.

And it kind of forces us to write, specifically, about the character and Orwell's purpose.

So we could say something like, "Through the characterization of Snowball, Orwell suggests that.

." So you can see how it just opens that thesis statement up to being more specific and more focused.

So let's just read the improved statement altogether.

So, "Through the characterization of Snowball as innovative and strategic, Orwell explores the different types of leadership and power.

However, Orwell does not idealise Snowball's leadership, he reveals how all are corruptible and susceptible to power hierarchies." So this gives us a really good place to build on for our response.

Okay, so which of these is a good way to start a thesis statement? Pick A, B, or C.

Well done, everyone that picked up on that, "Through the presentation of.

." So try and remember that sentence starter when writing thesis statements "Through the presentation of.

." Or, Through the characterization of.

." It will really help your thesis statements.

Okay, so we have reached our second and final practise task.

So a little bit more work to do.

So what I would like you to do is I would like you to write your own thesis statement for the following question.

How does Orwell use Napoleon to explore ideas around power and corruption? So I really want you to think about everything we've looked at in terms of a successful thesis statement.

You may also want to find the key words and annotate the question like we did in the first practise task, before you start your thesis statement.

So to help you, there are some sentence starters and the success criteria.

So our sent ace starters are here, and your success criteria for your thesis statement is here.

So everything you need, pause the video, and I look forward to seeing what you have written.

Well done, everyone.

Thank you so much for your hard work.

That's not easy in the second half of the lesson.

So I really appreciate you grappling with that thesis statement.

So here's how you may have approached this task.

You may have something slightly different, which is fine.

Just use this example to compare to your own.

So we've got here, "Through Napoleon's presentation." So I've used that sentence starter to really focus down on the question.

So, "Through Napoleon's presentation as a ruthless and tyrannical leader," I've got my two adjectives there.

"Orwell reveals," my sentence starter to link to Orwell's purpose.

So, "Orwell reveals how the pursuit and consolidation of power can lead to corruption and manipulation." And then I further talk about Orwell's purpose.

"Orwell is using Napoleon to show the dangers of unchecked authority in the rise of totalitarian regimes." So we have done it! We have reached the end of the lesson, so you should all give yourselves a pat on the back.

So let's just remind ourselves of everything we have learned this lesson.

So underlining key words and annotating an essay question helps identify what the focus of the question is.

The "how" in the question refers to language and structural devices.

It is useful to connect key words to plot points and themes.

A thesis statement is an overarching argument and should refer to the writer's purpose.

So while done, everyone, keep practising these skills, and I promise they will get much quicker, and help you write much better responses.

So I hope to see you all again soon, goodbye!.