Thesis Essay
Satire, Irony, Humor
Social Satire
Mean Girls
Choose one of the following questions to answer in a well-constructed thesis essay. Do not
forget the complete identification—Mean Girls (2008) directed by Mark Waters and written by
Tina Fey-- and an identifiable, focused Main Idea that answers one of the questions below.
1) Does Mean Girls mock the theory regarding high school intolerance, bullying, and
cliques, as it was presented in Rosalind Wiseman’s book Queen Bees and Wannabes, or
legitimize it? Discuss the use of satire and humor to achieve, what you think, is the
director’s intention.
2) Discuss how Mean Girls adheres to the conventions of classic romantic comedy. Why is
it important that this story follow these conventions?
LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
Level TWO Students must answer Question #1. Level two students will break this MI into two DIs, or
developing ideas. Each DI will focus on a different convention(s) or satirical device(s)
to prove the MI. Students must reference BOTH the movie and the reading packet
from Queen Bees… There will be three examples in each developmental paragraph.
Essay: Four paragraphs, six examples total, two sources-Mean Girls and Queen Bees…
Level THREE Students can answer either question. Level three students will break the selected MI
into two DIs, or developing ideas. Each DI will focus on a different convention(s) or
satirical device(s) to prove the MI. Students may reference the movie and the reading
packet from Queen Bees…(depending on question choice). There must be at least two
examples in each developmental paragraph.
Essay: Four paragraphs, four-six examples total, one or two sources-(depending on choice)
Level FOUR Students must answer Question #2. Level four students will break the selected MI into
two DIs, or developing ideas. Each DI will focus on a different convention or
satirical device to prove the MI. Students will reference only the movie. There must be
at least two examples in each developmental paragraph.
Essay: Four paragraphs, four examples total, one source.
REMINDER: Essays referencing the Wiseman’s book must cite the page numbers.