Name: __________________________ Block: ______

Mastery Work #1: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Directions: For your Animal Farm Mastery Work you will write a well-organized argumentative 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 people’s
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
● _______________ – Rough Draft Due
● _______________ – 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!
4 3
- Introduction has a clear
and sophisticated thesis
Introduction
statement that addresses
the task.
- Hook and background info
are relevant to the topic and
offer insight into the essay.
- Thoroughly develops all
Developing
the Task
aspects of the task evenly
and in-depth.
- Richly supports the task
with many relevant facts,
Description & Analysis
examples and details.
- Is more analytical than
descriptive (analyzes,
evaluates and/or creates
info)
- No inaccurate information.
- Context is clear and
detailed throughout.
- Conclusion restates, but
does not repeat the thesis.
Conclusion
- Recaps all relevant points
with sounding repetitive.
- Leaves the reader with a
profound or interesting
impression, or new
knowledge.
- Has a sophisticated writing
Language & Conventions
style that uses transitions,
appositives and
subordinating conjunctions
fluently.
- Has control of grammar
and spelling with basically
no errors.
- Correct format in regards
to font, spacing, etc.
First Draft
RUBRIC SCORE: ________
FINAL: ____________/100
RUBRIC
- Introduction has a clear
thesis statement that
addresses the task.
- Hook and background info
appropriate for the topic.
- Develops all aspects of the
task, but may do so
somewhat unevenly.
- Supports the task with
relevant facts, examples and
details.
- Is both descriptive and
analytical (applies, analyzes,
evaluates and/or creates
info)
- May have a very minor
factual inaccuracy.
- Context is clear
throughout.
- Conclusion restates the
thesis, but may sound
somewhat repetitive.
- Recaps all relevant points
from the essay.
- Leaves the reader with an
impression that shows value
of essay.
- Uses language that is fluent
and creative.
- Demonstrates good control
of grammar and spelling
with few (3-5) errors.
- Correct format in regards
to font, spacing, etc.
2 1
- Introduction has a
confusing or unclear thesis
that tries to address the
task.
- Hook and background info
are not clearly relevant to
the topic and/or one is
missing.
- Minimally develops all
aspects of the task or
develops some aspects of
the tasks in depth.
- Includes few relevant facts,
examples and details.
- May include several factual
inaccuracies.
- Is primarily descriptive,
may include faulty or weak
analysis.
- Several issues with
citations.
- Context is unevenly applied
and/or at times confusing.
- Conclusion fails to recap
the relevant points of the
essay.
- Is repetitive and unoriginal.
- Value of essay is unclear.
- Relies exclusively on basic
vocabulary or sentence-
structure.
- Shows emerging control
with several (6-9) errors that
interfere with meaning.
- An aspect of formatting in
incorrect.
RUBRIC SCORE: ________
FINAL: ____________/100
- Introduction has no thesis
and/or a confusing thesis
that does not address the
task.
- Hook and background info
missing and/or irrelevant to
the task.
- Minimally develops some
aspects of the task.
- Includes few relevant facts,
examples or details.
- Many factual inaccuracies.
- Is primarily
description/summary. May
lack understanding,
application or analysis.
- Context is missing and/or
confusing.
- Conclusion fails to recap
the relevant points of the
essay, is too brief and/or
unoriginal.
- Conclusion is missing.
- Uses language that is
unsuitable for the audience
or purpose.
- Shows almost no control,
making many errors (10 or
more) that interfere with
understanding.
- One or more issues with
formatting.
Final Draft