3. STEPS
Orwell shows that
language can be
used as an
instrument of
social control.
Discuss.
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
4. STEP 1
Orwell shows that
language can be
used as an
instrument of
social control.
Discuss.
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
5. STEP 1
Orwell shows that
language can be
used as an
instrument of
social control.
Discuss.
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
• Persuasion, manipulation,
particularly through
emotion
• Obfuscation
• Rhetoric and maxims
• Scapegoating
• Music and poems
• Propaganda
• Tool for
• Means of accomplishing
• Way of attaining
• Method of implementing
• Indicates deliberate use of
language – pigs (Old Major,
Napoleon, Snowball,
Squealer)
• Manipulating other
animals
• Inspiring other animals
• Avoiding dissent
• Gaining and maintaining
control
• Unifying
6. STEP 2
How is language
used by leaders as
an instrument of
social control?
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
7. STEP 3
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
In Orwell’s view, leaders utilise language as means
of gaining and maintaining control at every stage
of a revolutionary process.
How is language
used by leaders as
an instrument of
social control?
8. STEP 4
1. Identify key words.
1. What does this mean in the
context of the novel?
2. Interrogate and expand by noting
connections to the novel.
2. Reframe as a question if
necessary, identifying the
subtext of the question (i.e.,
what is it really asking you?)
3. Construct contention/overall
response/primary claim.
4. Plan secondary
claims/supporting
claims/topic sentences.
5. Note down possible
evidence.
How is language
used by leaders as
an instrument of
social control?
Language for inspiring and
uniting
Language of fear
Language as deception,
confusion and obfuscation
Language of sacrifice and
emotion
9. STEPS 5 & 6
How is language
used by leaders as
an instrument of
social control?
Topic sentence 1:
Orwell shows that persuasive
language is used by leaders as a
means of inspiring and uniting the
masses to achieve the goals of those
leaders.
Language of fear
Language as deception,
confusion and obfuscation
Language of sacrifice and
emotion
YOUR TASK:
1. Construct topic sentences from the broad
ideas brainstormed. The first has been done
for you.
2. Brainstorm possible evidence that might be
used to support the claims made. A starting
bank of evidence has been constructed for you
– which piece of evidence might go with each
claim? What other evidence can you add?
3. Get writing! Start with an introduction before
writing a body paragraph.
Evidence bank
• “Only get rid of man, and the produce of our labour would
be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free
[…] All animals are equal.”
• “Vote for Napoleon and the full manger”; “Vote for Snowball
and the three-day work week”
• The windmill: “In glowing sentences he painted a picture of
Animal Farm as it might be when sordid labour was lifted
from the animals’ backs”
• “Surely you don’t want Jones to come back?”
• “Surely you remember that, comrades?”
• “Animal Farm, Animal Farm,/Never through me shalt thou
come to harm!”
• “I will work harder”; “Napoleon is always right”
• “Four legs good, two legs bad!”
• Beasts of England
• “…lists of figures proving that the production of foodstuffs
had increased by 200 percent, 300 percent, 500 percent…”
• “Readjustment” vs “reduction” in rations
• “Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!”
• “Snowball’s secret agents are lurking among us at this
10. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
11. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
NOTICE:
1. “Bookending” of big, broad statements
that link back to the author’s central
ideas about us, the readers, and the
world we live in.
2. Clear statement of title, author and form
3. The clear statement of contention
4. Outlining of four central arguments and
the way that they relate
5. Transitional language
12. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
NOTICE:
1. “Bookending” of big, broad statements
that link back to the author’s central
ideas about us, the readers, and the
world we live in.
2. Clear statement of title, author and form
3. The clear statement of contention
4. Outlining of four central arguments and
the way that they relate
5. Transitional language
13. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
NOTICE:
1. “Bookending” of big, broad statements
that link back to the author’s central
ideas about us, the readers, and the
world we live in.
2. Clear statement of title, author and form
3. The clear statement of contention
4. Outlining of four central arguments and
the way that they relate
5. Transitional language
14. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
NOTICE:
1. “Bookending” of big, broad statements
that link back to the author’s central
ideas about us, the readers, and the
world we live in.
2. Clear statement of title, author and form
3. The clear statement of contention
4. Outlining of four central arguments and
the way that they relate
5. Transitional language
15. SAMPLE INTRO
In society both historical and contemporary, it is evident
that leaders who are skilled in the use and manipulation
of language exert more power than those who are not. In
his novella Animal Farm, George Orwell reveals his view
that leaders utilise language as means of gaining and
maintaining control at every stage of a revolutionary
process, particularly through the characters of the pigs.
From the early stages of such a process, language is
crucial to as an implement of unity and inspiration and,
similarly, serves to consolidate power by way of the
rhetoric of sacrifice and appeals to emotion. Moreover, to
maintain control, leaders use language to deceive,
confuse and obfuscate, further cementing their rule by
using language to threaten and evoke fear. Indeed,
Orwell’s “fairy story” provides a reflection of the human
society we inhabit, ultimately serving as a chilling
representation of the means through which our own
leaders exploit and manipulate the masses.
NOTICE:
1. “Bookending” of big, broad statements
that link back to the author’s central
ideas about us, the readers, and the
world we live in.
2. Clear statement of title, author and form
3. The clear statement of contention
4. Outlining of four central arguments and
the way that they relate
5. Transitional language
16. SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH
Orwell shows that persuasive language is used by leaders as
a means of inspiring and uniting the masses to achieve the
goals of those leaders. This is exemplified by the character of
Old Major who, in his speech, uses inclusive pronouns such
as “we” and “us” to appear equal before his audience, in
conjunction with powerful abstract nouns including
“freedom” and “future” to add to the sense of promise and
possibility. In concluding his speech, Old Major utilises the
soaring tune and egalitarian lyrics of “Beasts of England” to
inspire a feeling of unity among the working animals. Herein,
by appealing to a “golden future time” where the “fruitful
fields of England” are reserved for animals alone, Old Major
uses the vivid imagery of the song to create feelings of hope
and empowerment, and thus prompt the animals to rebel
against Mr. Jones. Similarly, early in the Rebellion, Napoleon
and Snowball both use hopeful rhetoric to inspire united
support for their leadership, with Napoleon’s “full manger”
and Snowball’s “three-day work week”. Although there exist
clear differences in motivation, the result is comparable: at
the beginning of the revolutionary process, it is crucial to
inculcate feelings of hope to unite the population to work for
common cause.
WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?
17. SAMPLE CONCLUSION
George Orwell’s Animal Farm demonstrates
how leaders utilise language at every stage of
the revolutionary process, from first stirrings
of rebellion to the final bloody purges.
Through Old Major, he demonstrates
language’s power to inspire and unite;
Squealer, by contrast, represents the
leadership’s consolidation of power through
deception and obfuscation. What begins in
promise can all too easily end in disaster if
one remains ignorant and uneducated. Orwell
thus argues that in a revolution, the price of
liberty is eternal vigilance.
WHAT DO YOU NOTICE?
