Of Mice and Men essay template / ENG 3CI

English Essay Template

Name:
Date:
Topic
Choices /
  1. Dream fulfillment is an important theme in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Discuss how this theme is developed in the lives of at least three different characters.
  2. Loneliness is an important theme in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Discuss how this theme is developed in the lives of at least three different characters.
  3. Friendship and loyalty is an important theme in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Discuss how this theme is developed in the lives of at least three different characters.

Thesis Statement / A strong thesis statement will be specific, justify discussion, and demonstrate a conclusion about the topic. The thesis states what you want your reader to know, believe, or understand in a single declarative statement.
Thesis Statement
(First Draft)
Date: / Type and print the first draft of your thesis statement.
Thesis Statement Starters:
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates ______.
In the novel Of Mice and Men, Lennie and George have a dream ______.
In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck explores the theme ______.
Peer Assessment
Date: / The thesis statement does:
  • state a realistic, provable, opinion
  • state an opposable argument
  • make a specific, focused and clear point
  • outlines three supporting main ideas
  • use elevated language
  • use formal language
  • use grammar and punctuation correctly
  • use the formal tone effectively
  • appear in the introduction
  • take one sentence to say
/10 / The thesis statement does not:
  • include a plot summary
  • involve a personal opinion
  • ask a question
  • use general or vague terminology
  • sound like “In this essay it will be proven...”

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:
Peer Assessment
Date: / The thesis statement does:
  • state a realistic, provable, opinion
  • state an opposable argument
  • make a specific, focused and clear point
  • outlines three supporting main ideas
  • use elevated language
  • use formal language
  • use grammar and punctuation correctly
  • use the formal tone effectively
  • appear in the introduction
  • take one sentence to say
/10 / The thesis statement does not:
  • include a plot summary
  • involve a personal opinion
  • ask a question
  • sound like “In this essay it will be proven...”

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:
Thesis Statement
(Second Draft)
Date: / Type and print the second draft of your thesis statement.

The Essay Outline

Essay Outline / The essay outline is the scaffolding to construct your essay. Use your thesis statement as a starting point and develop three main topic sentences to support your argument. Record your ideas in bulleted point form to outline your essay.
Paragraph 1
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Briefly summarize your three topic sentences / Thesis:
Topic 1
(Most effective support) / Topic 2
(Least effective support) / Topic 3
(2nd most effective support)
Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence
Elaborate on your topic sentence
Each point will make a claim or argument supporting your topic sentence. Each proof will develop and demonstrate that the claim is correct
Point 1 / Proof 1 (quotation)
Point 2 / Proof 2 (quotation)
Point 3 / Proof 3 (quotation)
Transition into your next topic / Topic 1
Elaborate
Point 1
Proof 1
Explain 1
Point 2
Proof 2
Explain 2
Point 3
Proof 3
Explain 3
Transition
/12 sentences
Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence
Elaborate on your topic sentence
Each point will make a claim or argument supporting your topic sentence. Each proof will develop and demonstrate that the claim is correct
Point 1 / Proof 1 (quotation)
Point 2 / Proof 2 (quotation)
Point 3 / Proof 3 (quotation)
Transition into your next topic / Topic 2
Elaborate
Point 1
Proof 1
Explain 1
Point 2
Proof 2
Explain 2
Point 3
Proof 3
Explain 3
Transition
/12 sentences
Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence
Elaborate on your topic sentence
Each point will make a claim or argument supporting your topic sentence. Each proof will develop and demonstrate that the claim is correct
Point 1 / Proof 1 (quotation)
Point 2 / Proof 2 (quotation)
Point 3 / Proof 3 (quotation)
Transition into your next topic / Topic 3
Elaborate
Point 1
Proof 1
Explain 1
Point 2
Proof 2
Explain 2
Point 3
Proof 3
Explain 3
Transition
/12 sentences
Paragraph 5 / Conclusion
The conclusion will summarize your three topic sentences and discuss how the ideas in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 fully develop and support your thesis statement. Write your conclusion after you develop your essay outline.
Peer Assessment
Date: / The essay outline includes:
  • a thesis statement
  • three supporting main ideas written in full sentences
  • each main idea that are supported by
  • point
  • proof
  • explanation
  • properly cited quotations (location)
  • a concluding sentence for each main idea
  • thesis and supporting main points form connected, cohesive argument
  • order of supporting main points is appropriate for argument
/10
Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:
Introduction / Your introduction should include your thesis statement but should not be introduced until the middle/end of your introductory paragraph. Your opening sentences should include the following criteria:
sentences should be more than just a rewording/reshuffling of the topic question
sentences should be original and attention grabbing
sentences should avoid sweeping generalizations
Paragraph
(First Draft) / Type and print the first draft of your introduction for assessment.
Peer Assessment
Date: / The introduction should include the following:
  • a hook to grab the reader’s attention
  • the title of the work and author’s name
  • 1-2 sentences describing the general plot of the story that is relevant to the thesis statement
  • the thesis statement
/5 / The introduction should not include the following:
  • the thesis statement word-for-word
  • additional arguments besides the thesis statement

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:

Body Paragraphs and Quote Integration

Body Paragraphs / In the body paragraphs, you will expand upon and provide support for the thesis you introduced in the first paragraph.
A topic sentence that expands your theme and makes a transition from the previous paragraph
Development of ideas that support your essay's theme
An ending sentence that wraps up the paragraph and helps to transition into the next paragraph
Thesis Statement
(First Draft) / Type and print the first draft of your body paragraphs for assessment. Be sure to include proper quotation integration.
Peer Assessment
Date: / Body paragraphs include the following:
  • transitions between ideas within paragraphs
  • transitions between paragraphs
  • formal tone
  • approximately 12 sentences (topic, PPEx3, concluding)
  • coherent argument
  • good flow of language and clear communication
  • varied language
  • present tense
/10 / Body paragraphs do not include the following:
  • 1st or 2nd person pronouns
  • informal/casual language (e.g., slang, informal titles, etc.)
  • repetition of words

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:
Peer Assessment
Date: / Body paragraphs include the following:
  • transitions between ideas within paragraphs
  • transitions between paragraphs
  • formal tone
  • approximately 12 sentences (topic, PPEx3, concluding)
  • coherent argument
  • good flow of language and clear communication
  • varied language
  • present tense
/10 / Body paragraphs do not include the following:
  • 1st or 2nd person pronouns
  • informal/casual language (e.g., slang, informal titles, etc.)
  • repetition of words

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date:

Quotation Integration

Peer Assessment
Date: / Proper Integration of quotations involves the following:
  • proper punctuation MLA format
  • concluding idea (one sentence)
  • proper introductory phrases
  • the inclusion of context/background
  • the exact part of the quotation that supports your point and nothing more
/5 / Proper Integration does not involve the following:
  • floating the quotation
  • the phrase “In the quote”
  • changing the meaning of the text

Self Assessment
Date:
Teacher Assessment
Date: