Can someone please help think of some topics for paragraphs for an essay about the Battle of the Cowshed in Animal Farm?

The Battle of the Cowshed is the first conflict between the animals and Mr. Jones since they have defeated him in the Rebellion. 

Assuming that a five-paragraph essay will be composed, the student will want to build the topic sentences from the main points of the thesis statement which is probably about how the animals again defeat Mr. Jones and the men from Foxwood and Pinchfield.

**Since a five-paragraph essay has three main paragraphs, then the student will need three topic sentences. These may be constructed around the stages of the battle: the first skirmish, the second skirmish, and then the after-battle scene.

1. When the pigeons sweep over Animal Farm and land, they alert the animals about the approach of the men; also, the pigeons inform them that Mr. Jones has a gun in his hands.
But the animals have been prepared for battle by Snowball, who has even read about the conquests of Julius Caesar.
*So, the student can compose a topic sentence about how the animals are informed of the impending danger, but they are prepared. 

2. During the first skirmish, the men drive off the geese who have come out aggressively. The farmers feel triumphant, but the clever Snowball has planned on this outcome, hoping it will give the men a false confidence. Now, he uses a tactic of Caesar's to wait for the enemy to advance. He first releases thirty-five pigeons, who let loose their droppings on the men's heads. While the men are dealing with this offensive occurrence, the geese rush them and bite fiercely at their legs. Averting much of the painful attack, the men drive off the geese with sticks.
Although they have been defeated in their attacks, the birds have succeeded in causing enough confusion to keep the men from advancing. This is just what Snowball has intended to happen. Feeling triumphant, the men enter the yard and the larger and stronger animals fiercely attack them.

They were gored, kicked, bitten, and trampled. There was not an animal on the farm who did not take vengeance on them. (Ch.4)

*For this second skirmish, the student can compose a topic sentence about how the men fall for Snowball's clever plan of battle as they are lured to the Cowshed.

3. After the animals win the fight against the men, they name the skirmishes the Battle of the Cowshed since this is the site where the ambush has occurred. Furthermore, the animals decide to award medals and to Snowball and to the sheep who have died. These will be worn on Sundays and holidays.

*The topic sentence about the conclusion of the battle can be formed around the excitement of the animals' having won and been victorious.