Annotate the key theme or character from the question with the writer's message.
A successful plan follows a clear structure.
A thesis is a clear overarching argument supported by the whole text.
Topic sentences state a paragraph's main idea.
Concluding sentences focus on the writer’s intentions and link to your topic sentence, without repeating it.

Common misconception

That thesis statements and topic sentences are the same.

Differentiate; the thesis statement is a comment on the text as a whole, and a topic sentence has a focus on a specific part of the text.

Keywords

Thesis - the overarching argument to an essay, supported by the entire text
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragraph. It states the paragraph’s main idea
Concluding sentence - the final sentence of a paragraph. It comes to a conclusion about the paragraph’s main idea, focusing on the writer’s intentions
Main quotations - quotations which support your topic sentence, and that require analysis
Supporting quotations - quotations which support your topic sentence, but don’t require analysis

Another useful activity to support planning is to provide students with full essays and get them to complete the plans for them.

Teacher tip

Equipment

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

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In 'Animal Farm', what event triggers the animals' rebellion against Mr. Jones?

The pigs' revolution.

The destruction of the windmill.

The battle of the cowshed.

Correct answer: The neglect and hunger of the animals.

Q2.

Match the character from 'Animal Farm' to the quote that describes them.

Correct Answer:Benjamin,"was the oldest on the farm and the worst tempered"

"was the oldest on the farm and the worst tempered"

Correct Answer:Moses,"was a spy and tale-bearer"

"was a spy and tale-bearer"

Correct Answer:Squealer,"nimble movements, and a shrill voice"

"nimble movements, and a shrill voice"

Correct Answer:Napoleon,"with a reputation for getting his own way"

"with a reputation for getting his own way"

Correct Answer:Snowball,"quicker in speech and more inventive"

"quicker in speech and more inventive"

Correct Answer:Boxer,"he was not of first-rate intelligence"

"he was not of first-rate intelligence"

Q3.

How does Orwell use the character Moses, the tame raven, to convey a message in 'Animal Farm'?

Correct answer: Moses symbolises the corrupt clergy and their role in supporting tyranny.

Moses represents the voice of reason and justice among the animals.

Moses is a revolutionary figure inspiring the animals to rebel.

Moses personifies the spirit of rebellion and resistance.

Q4.

In 'Animal Farm', how does Orwell use the character Benjamin, the donkey, to comment on the revolution and the pigs' leadership?

Benjamin is a fervent supporter of the revolution.

Benjamin is a symbol of blind loyalty to the pigs.

Correct answer: Benjamin is a cynical and skeptical observer who sees through the pigs.

Benjamin is a dynamic character who undergoes a significant transformation.

Q5.

How does Orwell use the character Mollie, the white mare, to highlight a particular aspect of society in 'Animal Farm'?

Mollie is a symbol of loyalty and hard work.

Mollie represents the intellectuals who spearhead the revolution.

Mollie is an advocate for equality among the animals.

Correct answer: Mollie symbolises the allure of material comfort and the bourgeoisie.

Q6.

What does the character of Snowball represent in 'Animal Farm'?

Snowball symbolises the corrupt and power-hungry leader.

Correct answer: Snowball represents the idealistic and visionary revolutionary.

Snowball is a traitor who collaborates with humans against Animal Farm.

Snowball is a neutral character without significant impact on the plot.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

To introduce the main characters

To provide supporting details

Correct answer: To state the overarching argument supported by the entire text

To conclude the essay

Q2.

What is the function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

To summarise the entire essay

Correct answer: To state the paragraph's main idea

To provide examples and evidence

To conclude the paragraph

Q3.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a good concluding sentence?

Makes clear the paragraph has reached its conclusion

Focuses on the writer's intentions

Correct answer: Repeats the topic sentence

Links to the topic sentence

Q4.

Match the features of an essay to its description.

Correct Answer:thesis,Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.

Overarching argument, supported by the whole text.

Correct Answer:topic sentence,It states the paragraph’s main idea.

It states the paragraph’s main idea.

Correct Answer:supporting detail,References to the text which support your topic sentence.

References to the text which support your topic sentence.

Correct Answer:main quotation,Quotations which support argument and require analysis.

Quotations which support argument and require analysis.

Correct Answer:concluding sentence,The final sentence of a paragraph.

The final sentence of a paragraph.

Correct Answer:conclusion,Sums up your essay’s overall thesis.

Sums up your essay’s overall thesis.

Q5.

What would be the key words in this essay question: How does Orwell use Boxer to explore ideas around education?

Correct answer: Boxer

Orwell

Correct answer: how

explore

Correct answer: education

Q6.

Which of these would be considered the most successful concluding sentence?

Correct answer: Fundamentally, Orwell exposes the corruption of power through Snowball.

This brings me onto my next point about the character of Clover and education.

As I said in my topic sentence, Napoleon links to ideas of power.