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Year 11
AQA

'Animal Farm': selecting judicious quotes and tracking a character in an essay

I can use textual evidence to support my inferences and track a character in an essay.

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Year 11
AQA

'Animal Farm': selecting judicious quotes and tracking a character in an essay

I can use textual evidence to support my inferences and track a character in an essay.

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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Arguably, Squealer's manipulation of language makes him the most the treacherous pig.
  2. Judiciously chosen quotes should be used in essays.
  3. Tracking a character is an effective way to structure an essay.
  4. Snowball could be described as one of the 'unconsciously power-hungry people’ who blight revolutionary causes.
  5. Arguably, Squealer’s name is an example of nominative determinism.

Keywords

  • Treachery - to behave in a way that is deceitful and disloyal

  • Nominative determinism - the theory that people do jobs or activities that are connected to their name

  • Egalitarian - the belief that all people are important and should be treated equally

  • Sycophantic - praising people in authority, or those with a higher status, insincerely in order to gain an advantage

  • Judicious - kake thoughtful choices based on good judgement

Common misconception

Snowball isn't to blame for the failed revolution.

How many examples can you find where Snowball supports hierarchical ideas that go against the ideals of equality?


To help you plan your year 11 english lesson on: 'Animal Farm': selecting judicious quotes and tracking a character in an essay, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use as an opportunity to explore other characters and their treacherous behaviour. A ranking activity would support this and can also be linked to who is to blame for the failed revolution.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.

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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What rhetorical device is being used in this quote from 'Animal Farm'? ''Surely, Comrades, you don't want Jones back?''
Correct Answer: Rhetorical question, rhetorical question, rhetorical question.
Q2.
In 'Animal Farm', which verb is used to describe Squealer's tail?
Correct answer: Whisking
Twitching
Coiling
Wagging
Waving
Q3.
In 'Animal Farm', what does Squealer tell the animals about Snowball after he has been expelled?
He was a military hero and it is sad he is dead.
He was never as intelligent or worthy as Napoleon.
Correct answer: He was working with Mr. Jones from the very start.
He was planning to murder Napoloen.
Q4.
Complete this quote from 'Animal Farm'; "Snowball was a more vivacious pig than Napoleon, quicker in speech and more__________".
intelligent
Correct answer: inventive
ingenious
imaginative
innovative
Q5.
In 'Animal Farm,' what is the primary purpose of Squealer's use of statistical data and numbers when delivering propaganda?
To confuse the animals and discourage critical thinking
To provide accurate information for informed decision-making
Correct answer: To highlight the success of the animals' collective efforts
Q6.
Which adjectives complete this quote about Squealer: "very round cheeks, __________ eyes, __________ movements, and a __________ voice."?
Correct answer: twinkling
swift
Correct answer: nimble
Correct answer: shrill
sparkling

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which definition describes the word treachery?
Make thoughtful choices based on good judgement.
Praising people in authority, or those with a higher status, insincerely.
The belief that all people are important and should be treated equally.
Correct answer: To behave in a way that is deceitful and disloyal.
Q2.
Which word beginning with 'E' describes the belief that all people are important and should be treated equally?
Correct Answer: egalitarian , Egalitarian, egalitarian., Egalitarian.
Q3.
What is nominative determinism?
Correct answer: A theory that people are driven towards work/activites connected to their names.
A type of propaganda used by totalitarian regimes.
A term that describes powerful hierarchies.
A theory that people are born 'natural leaders'.
Q4.
Which discourse markers can help track a character's development in an essay?
Once upon a time, meanwhile, thereafter.
Correct answer: Initially, furthermore, however.
Always, never, sometimes.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow.
Q5.
In 'Animal Farm' which phrases does Orwell use to establish Snowball's character?
rapid in talk
seemingly animated
Correct answer: more vivacious
Correct answer: quicker in speech
Q6.
What did Orwell say about individuals who were unaware of their ambitions of power?
They drove revolutionary action.
Correct answer: They plagued the success of revolution.
They were essential to successful rebellions.

Additional material

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