Animal Farm Reading Logs

Directions:

After each assigned section of the novel, you will complete one of the following reading log options. Your log should be one paragraph minimum (5 – 7 sentences, including a topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence).

Usually, you will be assigned to do a particular log option. For some sections, however, you will have free choice. J

Options

A.  Key Quote: Choose an important quotation (1 to 4 sentences) that you feel is important to the section. Provide the context for your quotation, make the quotation part of your own sentence, and then explain what the passage shows (about a character, about an important theme or symbol, etc).

B.  Illustrate: Draw a picture of a scene in the section, and explain your choice. Why did you choose this scene? Why did you choose to draw it the way you did? Who and/or what is happening in this picture?

C.  Point of View Journal: Use a diary format to tell the events in the section from the point of view of a particular character. THIS IS NOT A SUMMARY! Your journal should help us understand the inner thoughts, reactions, and emotions of your character. Use language that your character would use.

D.  Compare and Contrast: How do the events in this chapter compare to events today? Think about our government, power structure (who gets to make decisions, who doesn’t), and how.

E.  Theme**: Explain how one of the following themes appears in the section: social class; the abuse of power; propaganda and the power of language; the dangers of utopian thinking. What is the author’s message about this theme? How do you know? Use quotes and/or specific details from the chapter to support your opinion.

** A theme is the author’s message about a major life issue in the novel (think love, death, gender, social class). In order to be a theme, this issue must be universal, and it must appear throughout the novel.

Animal Farm Reading Schedule

Chapter / Due Date
1&2 / Wednesday, May 21st
3&4 / Tuesday, May 27th
5 / Wednesday, May 28th
6&7 / Friday, May 30th
8&9 / Monday, June 2nd
10 / Tuesday, June 3rd