Animal Farm by George Orwell
Farmyard tasks
Chapter 1: Old Major’s speech
In Chapter 1 Major addresses all the farm animals in the barn. His purpose is
to persuade his fellow farm animals of the many reasons why they should
rebel against humans. He uses various persuasive language devices to achieve
his aim.
Find examples of persuasive language techniques that Major uses in his speech
to the animals and explain the effects of each. You should be able to find
examples of the following:






rule of three
rhetorical questions
emotive language
hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration)
repetition
imperatives
Chapter 2: The seven key commandments
After the animals’ triumphant rebellion, Napoleon and Snowball announce that
the principles by which all the farm animals shall live from now on are to be
regarded as:
‘an unalterable law by which the animals on Animal
Farm must live for ever after.’ These become the Seven
Commandments.
However, as time passes some of these commandments are broken – by whom
and why? As you read, complete the chart below:
Chapter
number
Which commandment
is broken?
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How is it
broken? Who
breaks it?
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What reason is
given for
breaking it?
What causes
the change?
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Animal Farm by George Orwell
Farmyard tasks
Chapter 4: The Battle of the Cowshed
As the pigs control all the information on Animal Farm, and since the animals
receive no other news, it is the pigs’ version of the truth which they believe.
Imagine that the farmers sell their version of the ‘Battle of the Cowshed’ to the
tabloid press – it will be quite different!
Produce a frontpage tabloid newspaper report, giving an account of the ‘Battle
of the Cowshed’, biased in favour of the farmers. Include direct and reported
eye-witness statements.
1. Think of a dramatic headline. Use alliteration or puns, e.g.
2. Sum up the main events in one or two sentences.
3. Then write a paragraph about each of the following:

why the farmers stormed Animal Farm

how the animals responded to the attack

the ‘ambush’ in the cowshed

the death of the stable boy

why the farmers retreated.
4. Include two eyewitness statements; one using direct speech, the other as
reported speech. You might choose from:

Mr. Jones, who led the attack

Squealer, the press officer at Animal Farm

a stable boy from neighbouring Foxwood Farm.
5. Include an appropriate clip-art image or illustration and a caption.
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Animal Farm by George Orwell
Farmyard tasks
Chapter 5: Snowball’s speech
In Chapter 5 Snowball and Napoleon engage in a heated debate over the
building of a windmill at Animal Farm. Snowball is passionate about building a
windmill because he believes that it will bring benefits to the lives of all the
animals on the farm and will reduce the hard work they continue to do.
In the novel, Orwell writes: ‘Snowball’s eloquence had carried them away. In
glowing sentences he painted a picture of Animal Farm as it might be when
sordid labour was lifted from the animals’ backs.’
Work in groups of four. Together, discuss what Snowball’s arguments might
have been. How might the windmill improve the lives of the animals on the
farm? List your initial ideas.
Then, compose a short ‘eloquent’ speech as Snowball, presenting his
arguments. Remember to use a variety of persuasive techniques to shape
your response. Be ready to share your speech with your classmates.
Chapter 7: Executions
Benjamin’s journal
Benjamin is one of the few animals on Animal Farm who seems to be
aware that Napoleon is a corrupt leader, though he is careful never to
express his opinions in public.
In Chapter 1, Orwell writes of Benjamin:
‘He seldom talked, and when he did it was usually to make some
cynical remark.’
Imagine that you are Benjamin. Write a diary entry in which you describe your
thoughts and feelings about events in Chapter 7.
You should include comments about the following:

Napoleon’s punishment of the hens

the rumours being spread about Snowball

the executions

the ban on singing ‘Beasts of England’
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Animal Farm by George Orwell
Farmyard tasks
You might like to begin your diary like this:
Dear Diary,
It seems that Napoleon has decided that the best way to govern
Animal Farm is by using threats and violence to keep us all in
order. It all began four days ago when Squealer announced that
the hens must surrender their eggs …
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