Name: __________________________ Block: ______

Mastery Work #1: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Directions: For your Animal Farm Mastery Work you will write a well-organized essay that
includes an introduction, body paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Additionally, your essay must argue and support a thesis and include a counterclaim
paragraph. The purpose of this essay is to explore one of the themes and/or ideas in Animal
Farm in depth using argumentation as a way to get a deeper understanding of the text.

Task:
Choose ONE of the following essay topics/ideas to complete your work.
TASK
1 Animal Farm is an allegory for the
Russian Revolution. Use your knowledge
of the novel and of the Russian
Revolution to either prove or disprove
that allegory is an effective means to
bring societal issues to light.
2 Animal Farm shows us that power can
corrupt, but also that using power can
lead to success. Agree or disagree with
the following statement: Using
power/force over others is the only
means to get things done.
3 In Animal Farm, the pigs became the
leaders, and the other animals accept
them because the pigs are the cleverest.
Should intelligence be the primary
qualification for leadership?
4 One of the themes of the novel is that
peoples ignorance can contribute to
their political and social oppression.
Considering that, do ignorant people
deserve to be controlled by a dictator?
CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPMENT
Determine if you think allegory is an
effective way to teach people or show them
about societal issues.
Describe how the issues/characters in
Animal Farm reflect the real-life events of
the Russian Revolution.
How does Animal Farm teach us about
human rights, political change, or
government abuses?
Discuss how the events and characters in
Animal Farm either prove or disprove the
statement (Consider: do characters
accomplish anything without the use of
power or force?)
Explore what others ways there are to
accomplish political and societal goals OR
how power/force is the most effective way
to reach a goal.
Either agree or disagree with the statement
in the task.
Using Animal Farm as your reference, argue
why intelligence should or should not be the
most important consideration for
leadership.
Consider other qualities that should be
considered in great leadership.
Either agree or disagree with the statement
in the task.
Discuss how the characters and events in
Animal Farm prove your point.
Consider: Is it the animals' fault that they
are oppressed? Do people who lack
education deserve their fates?

Guidelines:
In your essay, be sure to:
 Develop all aspects of the task.
Argue a clear thesis.
Support the thesis with relevant facts, examples, and details.
Cite evidence from Animal Farm and historical research (if needed).
Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion.
Format your essay properly: Double-spaced, Times New Roman, Size 12 font
Follow formal essay conventions (including no I/"me" and no contractions)
Important Dates to Know
Monday, May 22st Rough Draft Due
Tuesday, May 30th Final Draft Due

You will have time to work and research in class. Even so, it is a good idea for you to work on this
essay outside of class as well in order to ensure that you complete it on time!
RUBRIC
4 3 2 1
on Introducti

- Introduction has a - Introduction has a - Introduction has a - Introduction has no

clear and sophisticated clear thesis statement confusing or unclear thesis and/or a
thesis statement that that addresses the thesis that tries to confusing thesis that
addresses the task. task. address the task. does not address the
-- Hook and background -- Hook and all
background -- Hook and background task.
Task Developin

Thoroughly develops Develops aspects Minimally develops - Minimally develops

all aspects of the task of the task, but may do all aspects of the task some aspects of the
evenly and in-depth. so somewhat unevenly. or develops some task.
aspects of the tasks in
depth.
Descripti

- Richly supports the - Supports the task - Includes few relevant - Includes few relevant
task with many with relevant facts, facts, examples and facts, examples or
relevant facts, examples and details. details. details.
g the

examples and details. - Is both descriptive - May include several - Many factual
-- Is more analytical and analytical (applies, factual inaccuracies. inaccuracies.
on &

Conclusion restates, - Conclusion restates - Conclusion fails to - Conclusion fails to

n Conclusio

but does not repeat the thesis, but may recap the relevant recap the relevant
the thesis. sound somewhat points of the essay. points of the essay, is
- Recaps all relevant repetitive. - Is repetitive and too brief and/or
points
- Has awith sounding -- Recaps all relevant unoriginal. unoriginal.
& Language

sophisticated Uses language that is - Relies exclusively on - Uses language that is

writing style that uses fluent and creative. basic vocabulary or unsuitable for the
transitions, appositives - Demonstrates good sentence-structure. audience or purpose.
and subordinating control of grammar - Shows emerging - Shows almost no
conjunctions fluently. and spelling with few control with several (6- control, making many

RUBRIC SCORE: ________ FINAL:

____________/100