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Of Mice and Men Essay Outline
Directions
Introduction (Introduces novel, author, and focus of the essay. Gives background historical facts and or/explanation of basic plot. In short it gives the reader context.)
Thesis(A thesis statement presents your argument to the reader, it tells the reader what the paper will be about. Very simply, a thesis is a fact + an opinion. Your thesis should be the very last sentence in your introductory paragraph.)
Body Paragraph #1
Topic Sentence (TS) –Mini Thesis for paragraph that combines a fact + opinion.
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concluding Sentence (CS)—Final sentence of a body paragraph that A) summarizes your thoughts B) restates your mini thesis C) moves to the topic in your next body paragraph (your transition can either be in the CS or the next TS.
Body Paragraph #2
Topic Sentence (TS) –Mini Thesis for paragraph that combines a fact + opinion.
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concluding Sentence (CS)—Final sentence of a body paragraph that A) summarizes your thoughts B) restates your mini thesis C) moves to the topic in your next body paragraph (your transition can either be in the CS or the next TS.
Body Paragraph #3
Topic Sentence (TS) –Mini Thesis for paragraph that combines a fact + opinion.
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concrete Detail (CD)—Factual Statement-a quote from the book. Introduce the speaker and identify the situation. At the end of the quote, using parenthetical citations to tell the reader where you found the quote as well as the author using the following format (Author Page number).
Example: When the men enter the clearing, Steinbeck describes George as “small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp strong features” (Steinbeck 3).
Commentary (CM) Opinion Statement: Explain what the quote means and how it supports your argument. Can begin “This means that…”
Commentary (CM) Extends your argument by clarifying connections and/or explaining the significance of the event/action/symbol/dialogue. Can begin, “This also means that..”
Concluding Sentence (CS)—Final sentence of a body paragraph that A) summarizes your thoughts B) restates your mini thesis C) moves to the topic in your next body paragraph (your transition can either be in the CS or the next TS.
Concluding Paragraph (Summaries/recaps your main arguments and restates thesis. Does not introduce any new information.