Great American Novel – Essay Option #1
(Select a criteria to prove using two novels. Really dig into
that one criteria and prove it’s sub-ideas.)
Thesis: While the “Great American Novel” is written in response to a
specific time period, it remains relevant to reader’s today and is
considered the “Great American Novel” because it transcends time.
Body Paragraph #1 –
The Grapes of Wrath
transcends time b/c
characters and
themes are relatable
to today’s audience.
Body Paragraph #2 –
The Great Gatsby
continues to be
relate to audiences
because it depicts
the restlessness of
human nature and
exemplifies the ideas
of greed and love.
Body Paragraph #3 –
The Grapes of
Wrath also remains
relevant because it
depicts the best and
worst in human
nature.
Body Paragraph #4 –
Similar to Steinbeck,
Fitzgerald’s, The
Great Gatsby shows
the best and worst
in human nature
through the
characters of
Gatsby, Daisy, and
Tom.
Great American Novel – Essay Option #2
(Select a book and prove it’s the “Great American Novel.” You
must also use one other book to show a contrast.)
Thesis: John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men is the “Great American Novel”
because it reveals the truth about human nature, questions the idea of what’s right
and wrong, and accurately depicts a time period and generation.
Body Paragraph #1 –
Of Mice and Men
reveals the inherent
selfishness embedded
in all humans.
Body Paragraph #2 –
George, the
protagonist in the
novel, causes the
reader to question the
idea of what’s right
and wrong.
Body Paragraph #3 –
Steinbeck engrained
himself in the migrant
culture, therefore he
successfully depicted
a generation and time
period.
Remember, the majority of your support will come from Of Mice and Men. However, you will
need to pull in one other book that tries to show these ideas, but isn’t as successful as Of
Mice and Men. The Grapes of Wrath could work for this, as well as The Great Gatsby.
Great American Novel – Essay Option #3
(Prove that the “Great American Novel” has not been written.
However, your support must be rooted in the criteria.)
Thesis: While novels such as The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby, and Of Mice
and Men have been deemed by scholars and critics as the “Great American Novel,”
they fail to accomplish this feat because they don’t transcend time.
Body Paragraph #1 –
The Grapes of Wrath
attempts to connect to
modern audiences
through its themes
and characters.
However, it’s specific
setting and time
period present ideas
specific to that
generation.
Body Paragraph #2 –
The Great Gatsby
captured the spirit of
the “Jazz Age” and
therefore it’s content
and characters only
connect to the postWorld War I novel and
reveal ideas specific to
that time period.
Body Paragraph #3 –
Of Mice and Men
tries to convey the
idea of selfishness.
However, it’s difficult
for reader’s to relate
because George is a
product of the time
and generation of
migrant workers.
A Few More Thoughts . . . .
 Root your ideas in the criteria. This is for both options, “yes” and “no.”
 Select ideas that can be argued. Trying to prove that the “Great American
Novel” can’t be written because it’s subjective won’t work. How do you
prove that? Does it matter that readers have different opinions?
 It’s easier to prove what is, than what isn’t. Think of math problems that show
this idea.
 If you are planning to write an essay that argues “no,” you must conference
with me on Friday.
 An “A” paper goes beyond the obvious and says something others wouldn’t
say. Arguing that the “Great American Novel” is timeless is not original.
Arguing that the “Great American Novel” must have a character named Joe is
ridiculous. What can you say that is original and unique? You need a solid,
well-supported argument that goes beyond the obvious.
Your Plan – Due Friday, Nov. 11
 You must have a thesis and plan prepared for this Friday,
November 11.
 Your plan must . . . (think tree structure)
-State your thesis
-Explain which books you plan to use and why they are
the best choices for your argument
-Include the criteria you plan to use to make your
argument
-Include a rough idea of your paper structure