*** The Grapes of Wrath final essay question: What changes in social or political
attitudes or traditions does Steinbeck seem to advocate, and what techniques or
literary devices does Steinbeck use to influence the reader? *** DUE:
In other words, what does Steinbeck want to change (in society) by writing this book and
how does he influence you (the reader) so that you end up agreeing with him?
 Create a title that is interesting—such as “Steinbeck: an Advocate for the Poor” or “Finding Justice in
The Grapes of Wrath”
 Steinbeck uses allusions, foreshadowing, symbolism, repetition, irony, metaphors,
similes, imagery, personification, and tone, as well as other techniques. He also uses
intercalary chapters (the “philosophical” chapters.)
Your essay should be in this structure:
Introduction:
 hook: (to get the reader interested). A hook could be a statement, a question, a
quotation (from another source than the book you are writing about), an anecdote, a
statistic, etc.
 transition (make the logical connection between the hook and the thesis)
 specific thesis statement (what you want to prove/relates directly to the essay
question—get as specific as possible in your thesis statement.)
 somewhere in the introduction you need to mention the author’s name and title.
(Title is underlined.)
Support:
 1 paragraph: What Steinbeck advocates changing
 several paragraphs: Literary techniques Steinbeck uses and how those
techniques/devices influence the reader (discuss at least five literary devices used)
 USE SPECIFIC QUOTES FROM THE BOOK!!!!!!!!! Also use page #s.
Conclusion: Repeat ideas, but do not repeat exact words.
MORE HELP:
 Make sure you are analyzing the book, rather than just writing a book report. (Assume that the reader of
your essay has read the book.)
 Write about novels in present tense. Use transitions (words like “also, however, moreover, etc.)
 INTRODUCE QUOTES!!!!!!!! (Ma states, “If you’re in trouble or hurt or need, go to poor people.”)
 Type and double-space your essay. Use standard font. (Not extra big, not colorful, etc.)
 Re-read your essay out loud before turning it in.
 Check your grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. Periods and commas go inside quotation marks.
 Make sure to do your own work.
 ASK ME if you have questions!! EO is a great time to do so, or email me.
Example of introductory paragraph: (you may use the thesis statement but don’t use the rest of it)-“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This timeless statement, by Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., applies not only to the Civil Rights Era in which he made the statement, but also
to the time of the Great Depression, where migrant workers were treated with injustice. No one
captures this injustice better than John Steinbeck in his classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath. In
this book, Steinbeck advocates major changes in social and political attitudes through the use of
foreshadowing, symbolism, metaphors, irony, and other literary devices.