Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay
Goals:
 I can write a formal essay with a funnel introduction, supporting body paragraphs, and
a reverse funnel conclusion.
 I can use direct quotes to support my argument.
 I can revise and proofread my essay to ensure there are no grammatical or
punctuation errors.
Assignment: Analyze the development of a theme in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
Themes to Choose From:
 Friendship and Loyalty – True friendship is maintained through loyalty.
 Discrimination / Racism – People often feel powerful when they discriminate against others.
 Disillusionment – Hope is lost when people are disillusioned by the adversities in life.
 Loneliness – When people are subjected to isolation due to personal differences, they experience the feeling
loneliness.
Guidelines:
 Develop an argument.
 Create a thesis statement that includes the three reasons of support.
 Include a funnel introduction.
 Develop topic sentences that include the argument and focus of the paragraph; the second and third topic
sentence must include a transitional word or phrase.
 Each paragraph must include one direct quote the supports the thesis statement (argument) and focus of the
paragraph; only the essential parts of the quote are used.
 All direct quotes include a proper lead-in and a proper MLA parenthetical citation.
 Each direct quote must be thoroughly analyzed to show HOW the quote supports the thesis statement
(argument) and focus of the paragraph.
 Create a closing sentence for each paragraph that does not preview the next paragraph.
 Organize the body paragraphs in chronological order.
Reminders:
 MLA format (header, heading, font, margins, spacing, title, etc.)
 present tense verbs
 no first or second person – third person only
 no contractions or questions
 avoid phrases such as This quote shows…, In conclusion…,
 Avoid the list of forbidden words.
 Proofread carefully
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay RUBRIC
Funnel Introduction Paragraph:
/ 15 points
 The general statement is broad but relates to the topic of the essay.
 Linking sentences support and explain the general statement and become narrower.
 The author and text are introduced smoothly.
 Appropriate and relevant background information is included.
 The thesis statement includes the theme (argument of the paper) and the three supporting details.
Body Paragraph One:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it is the same order as the thesis
statement.
 Relevant background information is included before the direct quote.
 At least one direct quotation is presented with an appropriate lead-in (speaker and context). The lead-in and
quote form one complete sentence. A proper MLA citation is included.
 The quote relates to the thesis statement and topic of the paragraph; only essential parts of the quote are
used.
 The analysis supports the topic sentence and answers the question, “How does this support the topic
sentence and thesis statement?” The analysis is thorough; it does NOT summarize the quote. The analysis
is sufficient.
 There is a closing sentence that sums up the argument, but does not preview the next paragraph.
 The paragraph is logically and chronologically organized.
Body Paragraph Two:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it transitions from the previous
paragraph.
 See guidelines above.
Body Paragraph Three:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it transitions from the previous
paragraph.
 See guidelines above.
Reverse Conclusion:
/ 15 points
 First sentence(s) re-explain the thesis statement with new words.
 The main ideas are summarized into concise sentences explaining the most important aspects of the paper.
 Paragraph concludes by referring back to the original generalization discussed in the introduction paragraph.
 Paragraph leaves a lasting impression and provides new insight to the topics discussed.
MLA Format and Grammar / Mechanics:
 All MLA rules are followed (header, heading, font, margins, spacing, title, etc.)
 Present tense verbs are used.
 Paper is proofread for grammar and punctuation (commas).
 Third person point of view is used.
 Contractions and forbidden words are not used.
/ 10 points
TOTAL_________ / 100 points
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay
Thesis Statement: Write your thesis statement below. Remember, each thesis statement must include the theme
(argument) and three reasons of support.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Brainstorm: How will you prove this theme? Will you prove that the theme was developed through three
characters? Through three scenes / events?
Reason of Support
First Reason:
Second Reason:
Third Reason:
Direct Quote to Support Reason
Analysis of Direct Quote
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay
Funnel Introduction: Please use the graphic organizer below to takes notes on how to develop a funnel
introduction. Refer to this document when you write your introduction.
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay
Body Paragraphs: Please take notes on how to correctly write a body paragraph.
Topic Sentence
The topic sentence should transition from the _______________________________________________ and
should identify the focus of the paragraph (argument).
The topic sentence should also follow the same order as the ____________________________________.
Supporting Details
AFTER the topic sentence and BEFORE the direct quote, the writer should always include relevant
_________________________________ information.
The __________________________ should connect to the direct quote to form a ____________________
sentence.
The direct quote should support the ______________________ sentence and the ___________________
statement.
How should the parenthetical citation be written? ______________________________________________
The analysis should explain _____________________ the quote supports the _______________________ sentence
and the _______________________ statement.
The ________________________________ sentence should never ___________________________ the next
paragraph, but rather, it should conclude the current paragraph.
Grammar
______________________________ verbs should awlays be used when analyzing literature.
The writer should NEVER use _________________ or __________________ person point of view; _____________
person is only acceptable.
The writer should never use _______________________________ in formal writing.
The writer should avoid the list of forbidden words and phrases with every writing assignment.
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay
Reverse Funnel Conclusion: Take notes on how to write the reverse funnel conclusion down below. As always,
refer to your notes when writing.
Name_____________________________
Of Mice and Men Essay RUBRIC
Funnel Introduction Paragraph:
/ 15 points
 The general statement is broad but relates to the topic of the essay.
 Linking sentences support and explain the general statement and become narrower.
 The author and text are introduced smoothly.
 Appropriate and relevant background information is included.
 The thesis statement includes the theme (argument of the paper) and the three supporting details.
Body Paragraph One:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it is the same order as the thesis
statement.
 Relevant background information is included before the direct quote.
 At least one direct quotation is presented with an appropriate lead-in (speaker and context). The lead-in and
quote form one complete sentence. A proper MLA citation is included.
 The quote relates to the thesis statement and topic of the paragraph; only essential parts of the quote are
used.
 The analysis supports the topic sentence and answers the question, “How does this support the topic
sentence and thesis statement?” The analysis is thorough; it does NOT summarize the quote. The analysis
is sufficient.
 There is a closing sentence that sums up the argument, but does not preview the next paragraph.
 The paragraph is logically and chronologically organized.
Body Paragraph Two:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it transitions from the previous
paragraph.
 See guidelines above.
Body Paragraph Three:
/ 20 points
 The topic sentence includes the argument and focus of the paragraph; it transitions from the previous
paragraph.
 See guidelines above.
Reverse Conclusion:
/ 15 points
 First sentence(s) re-explain the thesis statement with new words.
 The main ideas are summarized into concise sentences explaining the most important aspects of the paper.
 Paragraph concludes by referring back to the original generalization discussed in the introduction paragraph.
 Paragraph leaves a lasting impression and provides new insight to the topics discussed.
MLA Format and Grammar / Mechanics:
 All MLA rules are followed (header, heading, font, margins, spacing, title, etc.)
 Present tense verbs are used.
 Paper is proofread for grammar and punctuation (commas).
 Third person point of view is used.
 Contractions and forbidden words are not used.
/ 10 points
TOTAL_________ / 100 points