Name:_________________________________ Date:____________________________ Block:__________

Animal Farm ​- Close-Reading Paragraph (Analysis)

George Orwell

TASK​: Do a close-reading of ​one​ of the provided quotes. Then, present your ideas in proper
paragraph format. Please adhere to ​all​ of the writing rules.

WHAT IS A CLOSE-READ?​ In a close-read, we search the text for deeper levels of meaning.
The goal of a close-read is to earn a stronger understanding of the text. For this assignment,
you will be presenting your close-read in the form of a paragraph.

HOW DO I DO IT?

Step 1:​ Choose your quote, then ​unpack​ the words (this means to look at each part of the
quote and try to determine what each part is saying). In other words, this is the ​brainstorm
portion of close-reading. Write down ​all​ the potential meanings that you think exist in the
quote. (Keep in mind that we are not “making up” meaning. Think of a close-read as an
uncovering ​of hidden meaning that was there all along.)

Take note of any patterns that you notice; is there anything in common across the meanings
you’ve discovered? For example, do all/some of the meanings you’ve discovered tell us
something about the same character?

Step 2:​ Take the meanings you have uncovered in Step 1, and answer the “SO WHAT?”
questions.

Step 3:​ Choose ​one​ “SO WHAT?” question that best encompasses your findings. ​Your answer
will be the focus of your paragraph.

Step 4:​ Draft your paragraph. Your paragraph needs:

→ A topic sentence that states the main idea you’re addressing from the quote.
→ A body that has a ​statement, evidence, and an explanation​ for each point (2-3 points).
→ A concluding sentence that summarizes your findings.

Your paragraph may be anywhere from 6 to 11 sentences. It is not long, so ​choose your
words carefully.
Quotes to close-read; ​choose ​one:

“‘That is the true spirit, comrade!’ cried Squealer, but it was noticed he cast a very ugly look at Boxer with his
little twinkling eyes” (Chapter 7).

“Boxer saw them coming and put out his great hoof, caught a dog in mid-air and pinned him to the ground. The
dog shrieked for mercy and the other two fled with their tails between their legs” (Chapter 7).

“As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. If she could have spoken her thoughts, it would
have been to say that this was not what they had aimed at when they had set themselves years ago to work for
the overthrow of the human race” (Chapter 7)

Step 1:​ Unpack your quote in the box below by re-writing it and using the surrounding space to
record your brainstorming.
Step 2:​ Answer all of the “SO WHAT?” questions in the space below.

-What is the importance of the

quote?

-What are the consequences?

-What does it mean for the

character?

-What does it mean for

others? For the world of the
story?

-How does this relate to a

larger issue?

-What does your point

ultimately show? What does it
suggest?

Step 3​: Choose ​one​ “SO WHAT?” question that best encompasses your findings. ​Your answer
will be the focus of your paragraph.
Step 4:​ Draft your paragraph. (Write your draft on a separate piece of paper and reserve this
space for your good copy.) Write 6-11 carefully crafted sentences to construct your paragraph.

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Rubric

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ideas are not Ideas are often broad Analysis is often Analysis is generally Analysis is well- Deep analysis is
developed. generalizations with developed straightforward and developed and fully developed
Has no little support, and no unevenly, with clear, with some supported. Has a and supported.
discernible clear purpose. Casual little support or support and sense clear sense of Accomplishes the
purpose. May vocabulary, weak sense of of purpose. Basic purpose. purpose with
be too brief sentence structure. purpose. vocabulary, some Appropriate word some originality,
to accomplish Writing reflects little Limited sentence variety. choice and individuality or
the task. understanding of vocabulary and Structure may be sentence variety. maturity.
Lacks language conventions. sentence formulaic. Errors Structure is logical Effective word
structure. Structure may seem variety. generally do not and the writing choice and
Frequent illogical. Frequent Structure may impede meaning. demonstrates sentence variety.
serious noticeable errors be weak. Errors control. Errors are Structure is logical
errors. interfere with may distract not distracting. and the writing as
meaning. and impede a whole may
meaning. appear effortless.
Errors are not
distracting.