Power and Corruption

Unit: Power and Corruption — Animal Farm

Lesson 1: Introduction to Allegory and Satire

Year Level: Year 10
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 20 students

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptions

• AC9E10LE05 — Analyse how text structure, language features, literary devices and intertextual connections shape interpretations of texts.
• AC9E10LY06 — Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal texts, organising, expanding and developing ideas through experimenting with literary devices and language features for specific purposes and audiences.
• AC9E9LE05 — Analyse the effect of text structures, language features and literary devices such as extended metaphor, allegory, symbolism, and satire.

General Capabilities

• Literacy: Understanding and using literary devices to interpret complex texts.
• Critical and Creative Thinking: Analysing and evaluating how allegory and satire influence meaning.
• Intercultural Understanding: Reflecting on social and political contexts embedded in allegorical texts.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Define and differentiate between allegory and satire as literary devices.
2. Understand how allegory and satire are used to convey deeper meanings about power and corruption.
3. Identify examples of allegory and satire in short texts and visual media.
4. Be introduced to George Orwell’s Animal Farm as a key example of allegory and satire.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

• Activity: Start with a thought-provoking question:
  “Can stories be about more than just what they say on the surface?”
• Briefly explain the concept of a story having ‘hidden meanings’ and how writers use this to send powerful messages.
• Show a political cartoon or satirical meme related to current events (age appropriate, simple) to prime thinking about satire and allegory.

2. Direct Instruction: Definitions and Explanation (10 minutes)

• Present clear definitions with student-friendly language:
  • Allegory: A story where characters, events, or settings stand for abstract ideas or moral qualities (e.g., animals representing humans in society).
  • Satire: Using humour, irony, or exaggeration to criticise people’s stupidity or vices, especially in politics or society.
• Highlight that Animal Farm is both an allegory and satire about power and corruption.
• Use a graphic organiser (e.g., Venn diagram) to compare and contrast allegory and satire visually.

3. Guided Practice: Identifying Allegory and Satire (10 minutes)

• Distribute a short excerpt or cartoon with allegorical and satirical elements (custom-prepared; e.g. a fable summarising a political message).
• In pairs, students identify and annotate examples of allegory and satire using sticky notes or markings.
• Discuss insights as a class, reinforcing key concepts.

4. Introduction to Animal Farm (10 minutes)

• Brief teacher-led slideshow providing background on George Orwell and historical context (Russian Revolution basics simplified).
• Discuss how Orwell uses animals symbolically to reveal truths about human nature, governance, and corruption.
• Pose questions for thinking ahead, e.g.:
  “What do you think an animal farm might reveal about humans?”
• Show the book cover and read aloud a short, engaging excerpt.

5. Independent Reflection and Exit Ticket (7 minutes)

• Students write a brief response (3-4 sentences) to the prompt:
  “Why do you think authors use allegory and satire to talk about serious issues?”
• Collect responses as an informal assessment and gauge understanding.

6. Lesson Conclusion and Homework (3 minutes)

• Recap key points about allegory and satire.
• Homework: Find another example of satire or allegory in a movie, TV show, or online video and prepare to share with the class next lesson.

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Resources and Materials

• Political cartoons or memes (teacher-selected, relevant and age-appropriate)
• Excerpt or short allegorical story (printed handouts)
• Graphic organiser handouts (Venn diagram for allegory vs satire)
• Slideshow presentation on George Orwell and Animal Farm
• Copies or images of Animal Farm cover and excerpt

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment of pair work in identifying allegory and satire
• Exit ticket reflection to assess individual understanding
• Class discussion participation
• Homework task to apply learning independently

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide key vocabulary sheet for EAL/D or literacy support students
• Offer audio versions of excerpts or allow oral responses for students with writing difficulties
• Challenge advanced students to consider modern examples of satire in news or social media

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Teacher Reflection Suggestions

• Were students able to clearly differentiate between allegory and satire?
• Did the political cartoon/meme hook effectively engage students?
• How effective was the introduction to Animal Farm in sparking curiosity?
• Adjustments needed for pacing or resource complexity for future lessons.

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This lesson is designed to precisely follow the Australian Curriculum (v9) English learning area for Year 10, supporting analytical skills in literary devices (especially allegory and satire), critical thinking, and engagement with complex texts such as Animal Farm by George Orwell.