Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric
I can identify how the pigs use rhetoric to control the other animals.
Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric
I can identify how the pigs use rhetoric to control the other animals.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All the pigs use rhetoric to present their messages to the masses.
- Whilst all the pigs use rhetoric, they do so in different ways.
- Ultimately, Napoleon and Squealer rely on fear in controlling the animals.
- Orwell uses the delivery of the speeches to develop characterisation.
- Snowball is much more serious and earnest compared to the other pigs
Keywords
Rhetoric - Rhetoric is the art of persuasive writing and speaking.
Imperative - An imperative conveys a command or an order.
Hyperbole - Hyperbole is to exaggerate statements or claims. It is intentionally used to overstate for emphasis.
Earnest - If someone is earnest, they are very sincere and serious.
Common misconception
That Napoleon and Old Major are completely different.
Look closely at their speeches. Interestingly they are very similar in their uses of devices, delivery and how they motivate the animals.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric, 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: the pigs and power unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
"A reputation for getting his own way."
"Quicker in speech and more inventive."
"Could turn black into white."
"A wise and benevolent appearance."
"[Has] a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems."
Exit quiz
6 Questions
"You don’t wish to see Jones back?"
"Comrades!"
"Our lives are miserable, laborious and short."
"Forward, Comrades."
"Our lives are miserable, laborious, and short."
"What would happen if we pigs failed in our duty?"
"Can you not understand that liberty is worth more."
"Fountain of happiness!"
"I pronounce the death sentence."