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Year 10
Edexcel

Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric

I can identify how the pigs use rhetoric to control the other animals.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Animal Farm: the pigs and the power of rhetoric

I can identify how the pigs use rhetoric to control the other animals.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. All the pigs use rhetoric to present their messages to the masses.
  2. Whilst all the pigs use rhetoric, they do so in different ways.
  3. Ultimately, Napoleon and Squealer rely on fear in controlling the animals.
  4. Orwell uses the delivery of the speeches to develop characterisation.
  5. Snowball is much more serious and earnest compared to the other pigs

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.

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.

You could take this as a creative writing opportunity for students to create their own persuasive speeches. They could be assigned a different pig to mirror their style.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does symbolism mean?
The use of real-life events in a story.
Correct answer: The representation of deeper ideas and themes through objects or elements.
The use of satire to critique society.
The use of colourful language and imagery in writing.
Q2.
What does a microcosm represent?
A fictional world with no real-world connections.
Correct answer: A small and simplified representation of a larger concept or society.
A dystopian society.
Q3.
Which of the following symbols from 'Animal Farm' represents progress and can be used as a tool of manipulation?
Apples.
Flag.
Milk.
Correct answer: Windmill.
Whiskey.
Q4.
Match the pig from 'Animal Farm' to their description.
Correct Answer:Napoleon,"A reputation for getting his own way."

"A reputation for getting his own way."

Correct Answer:Snowball,"Quicker in speech and more inventive."

"Quicker in speech and more inventive."

Correct Answer:Squealer,"Could turn black into white."

"Could turn black into white."

Correct Answer:Old Major,"A wise and benevolent appearance."

"A wise and benevolent appearance."

Correct Answer:Minimus,"[Has] a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems."

"[Has] a remarkable gift for composing songs and poems."

Q5.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of songs and rituals in 'Animal Farm'?
They are used to challenge the pigs' authority.
Correct answer: They maintain order and reinforce loyalty.
They emphasise the importance of education.
They are completely abolished by the pigs.
Q6.
Which of the following can be found on the Animal Farm flag?
Correct answer: A hoof.
A scythe.
Correct answer: The colour green.
The colour red.
Correct answer: A horn.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What R describes the art of persuasive writing and speaking?
Correct Answer: Rhetoric, rhetoric, Rhetoric., rhetoric.
Q2.
If someone is described as earnest they are...
Correct answer: sincere and serious.
grumpy and angry.
aloof and nonchalant.
sad and sombre.
Q3.
Match the rhetorical device to the quote that uses it from 'Animal Farm'.
Correct Answer:Rhetorical Question,"You don’t wish to see Jones back?"

"You don’t wish to see Jones back?"

Correct Answer:Collective personal pronoun,"Comrades!"

"Comrades!"

Correct Answer:Rule of three,"Our lives are miserable, laborious and short."

"Our lives are miserable, laborious and short."

Correct Answer:Imperative ,"Forward, Comrades."

"Forward, Comrades."

Q4.
Which of these is not from Minimus' poem in 'Animal Farm'?
"Friend of the fatherless!"
"Fountain of happiness!"
Correct answer: "You are the apple of my eye."
"Lord of the swill-bucket!"
"Like the sun in the sky."
Q5.
Match the pigs from 'Animal Farm' to their quote.
Correct Answer:Old Major,"Our lives are miserable, laborious, and short."

"Our lives are miserable, laborious, and short."

Correct Answer:Squealer,"What would happen if we pigs failed in our duty?"

"What would happen if we pigs failed in our duty?"

Correct Answer:Snowball,"Can you not understand that liberty is worth more."

"Can you not understand that liberty is worth more."

Correct Answer:Minimus,"Fountain of happiness!"

"Fountain of happiness!"

Correct Answer:Napoleon,"I pronounce the death sentence."

"I pronounce the death sentence."

Q6.
Which of the following rhetorical devices is not used in Squealer's speech in 'Animal Farm'?
An imperative.
Hyperbole.
Correct answer: A simile.
Collective personal pronouns.