Exam Approach and Structure
Your Animal Farm exam is worth 34 marks total, so knowing how to structure your response is crucial for success. You'll get 45 minutes to plan and write a detailed analysis of either a character, theme, or relationship.
Start with a strong introduction that includes your thesis statement - basically, answer the question straight away in a nutshell. Then outline three or four key points you'll use to prove your argument. This gives you a clear roadmap for the entire essay.
Your main body paragraphs should each begin with a topic sentence that directly answers the question. Follow this with 2-3 pieces of evidence (quotes, paraphrases, or plot references), then analyse Orwell's techniques and methods. Always ask yourself: why did Orwell present this character or event in this particular way?
Top tip: Remember that 12 marks come from analysing Orwell's writer's methods - so don't just describe what happens, explain how and why he does it!