Of Mice and Men Essay Assignment
Survey of Composition and Literature
The concluding assignment for the Of Mice and Men unit is a thesis essay. You will write a clear,
organized, multi-paragraph literary essay that will demonstrate your insightful understanding of
the important characters and one important idea in the novel. After reviewing your notes and
quotes, determine what you would like to argue in your essay. You will then create a thesis
statement that can be supported with specific textual examples from the novel.
Topics to choose from:
1. Why are humans cruel to each other? (Use either one character or multiple characters
from the novel to support your answer.)
2. How can loneliness affect peoples’ choices and behavior? (Use either one character or
multiple characters from the novel to support your answer.)
3. How does having a dream or goal affect peoples’ choices and decisions? (Use either one
character or multiple characters from the novel to support your answer.)
4. To what extent should individuals make sacrifices in order to maintain a relationship?
Writing Process:
1. Think about the topic you want to explore. Complete a brainstorm sheet for your selected
topic.
2. Review your brainstorming notes. Highlight key ideas and questions.
3. Write the main argument of your paper in statement form (This is called your thesis
statement)
4. Look for examples from the texts that you can use to support your argument.
5. Organize your ideas into an outline
6. Write your first draft. Remember: Write in literary present tense, use proper quote
format, embed quotes, and use transition words and phrases between examples.
7. Read through your essay. Revise, edit, and rewrite.
Essay Assignment Requirements:
 Typed, double spaced, standard font, size 12
 Introductory Paragraph including hook, background, and thesis statement
 Two or three fully developed body paragraphs with topic sentences, examples, commentary
and clincher sentences.
 Concluding Paragraph
 Completed rough draft, outline, brainstorming work, and other writing notes.