Essay writing: unpacking questions and writing theses on 'Animal Farm'
I can identify the key words in a question and use them to create a thesis statement.
Essay writing: unpacking questions and writing theses on 'Animal Farm'
I can identify the key words in a question and use them to create a thesis statement.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Underlining key words in an essay question helps identify what the focus of the question is.
- The 'how' in the question refers to language devices, character arcs and structural devices.
- Connect key words in the question to key themes in the novella.
- Connect key words in a question to key plot points in the novella.
- A thesis statement is an overarching argument and should include the writer's purpose.
Keywords
Thesis - An overarching argument or the main idea in a response.
Inevitable - To suggest that something is certain. It will definitely happen.
Hierarchy - A system in which people are ranked according to power or status.
Annotate - To make and add notes or short explanations to texts or images.
Common misconception
Spending too much time reading the question wastes time when you could be writing the essay.
It gives time to select what is relevant. It is just as important to know what **not** to include in a well argued response.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Essay writing: unpacking questions and writing theses on 'Animal Farm', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Essay writing: unpacking questions and writing theses on 'Animal Farm', 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 acccess to a copy of 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended