Of Mice and Men Essay Assignment
Due: ___________________
To Turnitin.com AND hard copy
Please pick ONE of the following topics upon which you will write your academic
expository essay:
1) Discuss Steinbeck’s use of foreshadowing in this novel.
2) Discuss Steinbeck’s use of Christian imagery in this novel.
3) Discuss Steinbeck’s use of characterization in this novel (static, dynamic, and foil
pairs).
Reminders
You will NOT be writing a full essay for this assignment!!
1)
2)
3)
4)
Write a strong thesis statement. (Topic, position, three prongs)
Write an introduction paragraph.
Write in the third person.
Write three body sections (not necessarily body paragraphs) that prove your thesis
valid.
5) CITE evidence you have used from the text to support and SHOW your points
(REMEMBER we cite paraphrases AND direct quotes from the book!)
Organization
See attached outline…fill it out like you mean it…..you’ll have a GREAT place to start
from!
Rubric
We will be using the 9th grade expository writing rubric
Planning
Thesis



Statement of topic
Statement of position
Statement of three prongs (or be more subtle but stay organized!)
Introduction Paragraph




Start factually and generally
Move to more opinionated and specific
Thesis is last sentence in this first paragraph
Move smoothly toward thesis
Topic #1
Evidence from the book that will support your thesis and prove that it is valid.

Claim of topic:

Line that SHOWS that from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:

Another line that SHOWS from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:
Topic #2
Evidence from the novel that will support your thesis and prove that it is valid.

Claim of topic:

Line that SHOWS that from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:

Another line that SHOWS from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:
Topic #3
Evidence from the novel that will support your thesis and prove that it is valid.

Claim of topic:

Line that SHOWS that from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:

Another line that SHOWS from novel:

Explanation of line and tie to claim:
Do NOT write a conclusion paragraph. Just STOP at end of third body section.
TIMELINE
Friday, 2/22/13
Tuesday, 2/26/13
Friday, 3/1/13
Assignment made
Rough draft brought into class (hard copy) for peer feedback
FINAL draft due IN CLASS (hard copy) and TURNITIN.COM
(by midnight)