Of Mice and Men

Theme Essay
English III
Hearn

Task: To write a five paragraph essay exploring Steinbecks use of theme in Of Mice
and Men.
Options:
1) Explore three different themes that the writer depicts in this novel
OR
2) Explore one theme as it pertains to three different characters
Thesis: Create a thesis (you may use the following templates based on the option you have
chosen)
1) In his novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck explores the universal themes of
________a____________, ___________b____________, and ________c_____________.
OR
2) In his novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck explores the universal theme of
________x____________ through the characters ________a____________,
___________b____________, and ________c_____________.
Outline: Develop an outline and complete it with your thesis and details (theme chart/book):
I.
II.

III.

IV.

V.

Intro/Thesis
A
a. Detail
b. Detail
c. Detail
B
a. Detail
b. Detail
c. Detail
C
a. Detail
b. Detail
c. Detail
Conclusion

Essay: You will type your essay using correct MLA format (see attached). Save your file before
printing (you may need it again!

Rubric for Theme Essay

25-23

Thesis Statement/Outline
The thesis statement lets the reader
know what the essay is going to be
about. The outline is complete with
details and
Score _____/25

Supporting Evidence
Supporting evidence is key in any
paper/essay. Use examples or proof
from the text to make your points clear
and prove that they are correct.
Students should make sure that the
paper is not mearly quotes or
paraphrase from the novel or other
sources, but that his/her own words
dominate and evidece is used to prove
what he/she is saying.
Score _____/25

Clarity of Writing
Student communicates
effectively in his/her writing.
Thoughts are clear, examples
are relevant, and ideas are
easy to understand.
Organization is important for
this type of paper.
Score _____/25

Requirements/Neatness/Spe
lling/

22-20

19--16

15-0

Thesis
statement is
clear. The
outline is
complete with
all supporting
details.

Thesis
statement is
clear. The
outline is
mostly
complete: may
lack details.

Thesis
statement is
confusing.
Outline is too
vague.

Thesis
statement is
unclear, or
may use the
first-person.
Outline not
completed.

All ideas are

solidly
supported with
appropriate
evidence from
the text. The
evidence is
incorporated
seamlessly into
the piece, and is
thoroughly
analyzed.
Quotes are
properly
formatted and
page numbers
are included.

All ideas are

solidly
supported
using
appropriate
evidence from
the text. The
evidence is
almost always
incorporated
seamlessly
into the piece,
and is
generally well
analyzed.

All ideas are

solidly
supported using
appropriate
evidence from
the text. The
evidence seems
tacked-on to
the piece, and
may not be
thoroughly
analyzed.

Some ideas are

solidly
supported
using
appropriate
evidence from
the text, but
other ideas
may require
more evidence.
The evidence
seems
tacked-on
and is not
analyzed.

Writing
consistently
connects back
to thesis. The
ideas are
arranged
logically to
support the
purpose or
argument. They
flow smoothly
from one to another
and are clearly
linked to each other.
The reader can
easily follow the line
of reasoning.

Writing is
connected back to
thesis statement.
The ideas are
arranged logically.
They are usually
clearly linked to
each other. For the
most part, the
reader can follow
the line of
reasoning.

Writing may not

be connected
back to thesis
statement
throughout the
piece. In
general, the
writing is
arranged
logically,
although
occasionally ideas
fail to make sense
together. The reader
is fairly clear about
what writer intends.

Writing is not
connected to
the thesis
statement. The
writing is not
logically
organized.
Frequently,
ideas fail to
make sense
together. The
reader cannot
identify a line
of reasoning
and loses

All of the
requirements
were met. The

All of the
requirements
were met. The

Most of the
requirements
were met. The

Some of the
requirements
were met. The

interest.

Grammar/Final Draft Format

Student communicates
effectively by making sure that
grammar and spelling is
correct. Also, they have made
sure that the requirements are
met.
Score _____/25

work is neat,
entirely free of
spelling and
grammar errors,
and is in final
draft format.

work has a few

spelling and
grammar
errors, but
they do not
interfere with
meaning. The
work is in final
draft format.

work either has

many spelling
and grammar
errors, or is not
neat and in final
draft format.

Total Score: ________ = ________

work has both

many spelling
and grammar
errors, and is
not in final
draft format.