Animal Farm Essay Questions

Objective:You are required chooseONE of the following essay prompts and write a five paragraph essay.

  • You will have ONE week to turn in a hard copy of your essay with the attached rubric stapled on top (the rubric is on the other side of this sheet), you must share your essay on Google Docs as soon as you begin. You must title your essay. Manage your time carefully!
  • Your response should have an introduction with a clear thesis/claim, supporting points WITH text evidence support and a clear conclusion.
  • Writing should explain and elaborate all points and draw an intelligent conclusion.
  • Be specific in your examples by using clear, concise language in your sentences. When using quotations from the novel, please cite the page number of that specific quote.
  • Content, spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and citations will all be counted for. (Refer to rubric)

Choose ONE of the Following Essay Selections (“I” should NOT be used):

  1. 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? What other qualities are important for a leader to have?
  1. One of the themes of the novel is that people’s ignorance can contribute to their political and social oppression. How does the animal’s behavior in the novel support this theme?
  1. Another theme of Animal Farm is that power corrupts those who possess it. What methods does Napoleon use to maintain his power?
  1. The animals rebel against Jones because he made them work long, hard hours and generally neglected or abused them. How is allof this IRONIC in light of the end result?
  1. Central authorities often abuse power and use it for selfish or unlawful goals. Explore Animal Farm, especially the pigs, by analyzing the ways that authorities abuse power.

Hard Copy is Due by:

Name: Class:

Grade 8 Literary Essay RubricBased on Common Core for Argument Writing

100-90 / 89-80 / 79-70 / 65-below
Thesis /
  • Thesis is a thoughtful, unique and clear argument, which clearly states the topic and claim.
/
  • Thesis is a clear argument, which clearly states the topic and claim.
/
  • Thesis is an argument that may be simplistic or missing important elements.
/
  • Thesis is not an argument or it is missing the topic.

Structure of Essay /
  • Introduction clearly includes a sophisticated hook, a relevant summary, overview of main ideas and thesis.
  • Body paragraphs each have a main idea/topic sentence
  • Conclusion clearly summarizes argument and makes a link/connection to other texts or ideas.
/
  • Introduction mostly includes an engaging hook, relevant short summary, overview of main ideas and a thesis.
  • Most of the body paragraphs have a main idea/topic sentence.
  • Conclusion summarizes argument and tries to make a link/ connection to other texts or ideas.
/
  • Introduction may include a weak hook, incomplete summary, overview of main ideas and a thesis, but not all 4.
  • Some body paragraphs have a main idea/topic sentence.
  • Conclusion almost summarizes argument, though it fails to make a connection or there are “loose ends.”
/
  • Introduction may not include a hook, short summary, overview of main ideas or a thesis.
  • Few or none of my body paragraphs have a main idea/topic sentence.
  • Conclusion does not summarize argument or brings up new ideas without explanation.

Evidence /
  • Body paragraphs all have sufficient accurate, relevant and well-chosen quotes/examples to support specific ideas.
  • Each piece of evidence has a complete or meaningful context
  • There is a thorough analysis/interpretation of how evidence supports the main ideas and thesis.
/
  • Body paragraphs include sufficient accurate, relevant examples/quotes to support specific ideas.
  • Each piece of evidence has some context.
  • There is an explanation of how the evidence supports the main ideas.
/
  • Body paragraphs include examples or quotes that may be somewhat relevant or accurate to support ideas.
  • Some evidence has a context, or context is irrelevant
  • There is an attempt to explain the evidence but analysis needs more development.
/
  • Body paragraphs do not clearly include evidence or the evidence is not relevant.
  • Very little evidence has a context, or context is inaccurate or a re-telling.
  • May include mostly a summary, inaccurate evidence without an analysis or interpretation that explains how it supports the thesis.

Language Use and Editing /
  • Final draft has fewer than 3 errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
  • Whole essay flows smoothly with varied transitions between thoughts
  • Tense consistent throughout the essay.
  • Consistently and accurately used MLA citation format for quotes.
/
  • Final draft has between 3 to 6 errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
  • Essay flows well with transitions between paragraphs
  • Tense mostly consistent throughout the essay.
  • Accurately used MLA citation for quotes.
/
  • Final draft has more than 6 errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
  • Inconsistent use of transitions interrupts the flow.
  • Some errors in tense consistency.
  • Has some inaccuracies in MLA citation for quotes.
/
  • Errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation affect readability.
  • Lack of transitions or inconsistent use affects readability.
  • Many errors in tense consistency.
  • Does not use MLA citations for quotes.

Final Score: ______