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Year 10 - English

Using context effectively in 'Animal Farm' essays

Animal Farm: the pigs and power

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils start their exploration of Orwell's 'Animal Farm' by focusing on the pigs and how they weild power. Pupils first read the book before exploring symbolism, key characters and Orwell's methods. They finally hone their essay writing skills and write about the pigs' use of power.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand what context is and how to include it effectively in your responses.

Key Notes

  • Context refers to the historical, social, literary and biographical.
  • Context should not be presented as isolated facts or generalisations.
  • Context should be relevant to the analysis and embedded in the response.
  • Context should develop your ideas and give an insight into the writer's purpose and intention.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • literary movement: A way to divide literature into categories focusing on philosophical, ideological or stylistic similarities.
  • disillusionment: A feeling of disappointment in the realisation that something is not as good as it seems.
  • generalisation: If a statement is applied to more things than to which it directly applies, then it is known as a generalisation.
  • theme: A repeated idea in a story is known as a theme. Power is a theme in 'Animal Farm'.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That context refers only to historical facts.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Context refers to the historical, social, literary and biographical. Context should not be presented as isolated facts or generalisations.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'literary movement'

A way to divide literature into categories focusing on philosophical, ideological or stylistic similarities.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That context refers only to historical facts. Correction: Interesting context also includes different attitudes and values. How would different audiences respond to the text and why?

More Lessons In This Unit

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