Themes

Writing strong theme statements is the basis for good analytical literary essays; in this lesson, you will work collaboratively to determine the themes of the novel and analyze in detail their development over the course of the text. You will then transfer those skills to your own individual work.

Step 1: Thematic Topic Analysis

• All students in the group must participate – how you divide up the participation is your choice.

• These posters must be filled in by the end of the lesson.

• You must have your copy of the novel open, and you must find quotations from them for the assigned theme.

• BE CREATIVE! Use colored pens, draw or write in different directions, or color outside the lines! These pages must be filled with ideas, thoughts, and originality.

• When finished, ensure each person's name is on the back and tape the poster to the whiteboard.

Step 2: What is the theme?

After viewing the theme posters from each group, work with your partner to create a SINGLE theme statement for Animal Farm. Proofread your sentence, and write the final thematic statement on the poster.