English 9
Mr. Sabo
Name: _________________
Analytical Essay on John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men or The Pearl
Choose ONE of the essay questions from ONE of the two novels listed below and write an organized
essay of 1,000-1,200 words (3-4 pages double spaced, 12 point font—no handwritten papers will be
accepted) that argues a specific thesis in response to the question. Remember that the thesis statement (as
well as each topic sentence) should be a specific, complex, interpretive argument that has application
beyond the literature itself to the “real world.”
Each essay must use quotations and specific references to the chosen text. These quotations and
specific references should be explained as evidence to support your arguments in the commentary. Avoid
summary of the literature and focus on your arguments. Remember that an essay by definition should
have an introduction, body and conclusion with body paragraphs that address one part or aspect of the
thesis each.
Questions from Of Mice and Men:
1.
Loneliness / Isolation – What does the novel have to say about isolation or lonely people? What
causes loneliness or what factors can isolate people from others? Do people isolate themselves or are they
isolated by others? What does being isolated or lonely do to people; that is, what are the effects of
isolation or loneliness?
2.
Disabilities / handicaps – What does the novel suggest or imply about disabilities or the people
who have them? What does having a disability do to a person or to the people close to them? How do
people tend to treat people with disabilities? Can a disability be a source of power or strength? How so?
3.
Dreams / Plans - Argue what you believe Steinbeck is saying about people’s plans and dreams and
what prevents them from achieving them. In other words, argue why it is (according to Steinbeck) that so
many people fail to achieve their dreams OR argue why certain types of people have the dreams that they
do.
4.
Friendship - Using the friendship of George and Lennie as well as any other examples you wish
from the book, argue what you believe Steinbeck is saying about friendship; what makes a good friend,
what should friends do for one another, to what extent people need friendship, etc.
5.
Nature & Civilization / Animals & People - Using examples from the novel, argue what you
believe Steinbeck is saying about the relationship between nature and civilization or between animals and
people. How are the two sides similar/different? What makes a man a man and an animal an animal? Is
civilization civilized?
6.
Women – Not a lot of women are in the novel, but based on what you see, what do you think is
implied or suggested about women in the book? Keep in mind that the values of the workers on the ranch
do not necessarily or even likely represent Steinbeck’s views.
Questions from The Pearl:
1.
Wealth - Using examples from the novel, argue what you believe Steinbeck is telling us are the
negative and/or positive effects of money or wealth. What, specifically, can wealth do to people? What
can it do for people?
2.
Colonialists vs. Natives - Using examples from the novel, argue for specific differences between
the native people and the colonial people in the novel AND how the colonialists use these differences to
take advantage of the natives or how the differences place the natives at a disadvantage. OR argue for the
similarities between the two groups and how these similarities affect the relationship between them.
3.
Family Roles / Dynamic - Using Kino as an example of a husband and father and Juana as an
example of a wife and mother, argue what you believe Steinbeck is saying about the roles within a family.
What role does a father play for his family? What purpose does a mother serve? What does it mean to be
a good wife or husband? What is a good marriage based on?
4.
Violence – Argue what you feel the novel is saying about violence. What are the causes of
violence? What are the effects? What arguments against violence do you feel the novel is making? What
are, if any, the acceptable circumstances for the use of violence?
5.
Individual and Community – Argue what you feel the novel is suggesting about the relationship of
an individual to his / her community.
Evaluation: Essays will be evaluated using the rubric attached to this page.
Dates of Importance
Thursday, November 13th – Outlines due (Typed)
Friday, November 14th – Volunteer Paper edited on the projector
Monday, November 17th, – Typed Rough Drafts due (10 points) for peer editing (10 points)
Thursday, November 20th - Final Drafts due along with all drafts, outline, peer editing work.
NOTE: For peer editing, students MUST have a COMPLETE, typed draft in order to participate.
IF absent, students must find a partner who was also absent or not ready and edit outside of class.
A volunteer paper is needed for me to correct on the projector. I must have this paper emailed to
me as a Word document attached to an email (NOT A GOOGLE DOC) anytime Thursday evening,
November 13th. Whoever submits a relatively clean, coherent draft first will be the volunteer. I
need a separate volunteer for each class.
Evaluation Rubric
Organization and Structure
20
18
17
15
13
11
Ø Introduction
o grabs reader’s attention
o narrows to complex, specific, argumentative thesis
o previews organization of body
Ø Body paragraphs
o are broken up logically
o include clear, specific, argumentative topic sentences
o are fully developed with supporting details and wrapped up with “clincher”
o include transitions in between
Ø Conclusion
o Briefly recaps argument, puts ideas together
o finishes with memorable, thoughtful, original ideas.
Arguments/Analysis
30
27
25
23
20
17
Ø Arguments
o are clearly stated, logical, specific, controversial, interpretive based on topic
o demonstrate detailed understanding of the characters, events, and ideas of the literature
o ideas are focused on topic; arguments are about topic moving beyond fictional context
Ø Summary or review is avoided
Evidence/Quotations & Examples
25
23
21
19
16
14
Ø Selection of quotations and examples
o Adequate number of quotes to support all points; no unsupported claims
o Quotes specifically support the arguments being made
o Selection shows an understanding of the characters, events and ideas of the literature.
Ø Quotations
o are restricted to relevant portions: nothing unneeded left in; nothing needed left out
o are blended whenever possible with the writer’s own words
o are contextualized/introduced and fully analyzed in the commentary
o include citations in correct MLA format
Mechanics
Ø Reasonably free of errors
o spelling
o grammar
o punctuation
25
23
21
19
16
14
Writer’s Voice/Style
20
18
17
15
13
11
Ø Language
o is formal, avoiding slang, generalities, use of first or second person, contractions
o makes use of diverse and sophisticated vocabulary
o avoids repetitive, non-standard, awkward phrasings
Ø Writing style
o is original and thoughtful, avoiding clichés, listing of facts, irrelevant commentary
TOTAL (120 points possible):