April 23 and 24- Of Mice and Men theme paper

Complete this outline to help write your paper.

Your argument for Of Mice and Men: “Which theme is most important in Of Mice and Men?”

Write down the theme you picked here: ____________________________________________

Write down three examples from the book that help explain this theme. For each example, write what it is saying about the theme.

1. Example #1: _________________________________________________________________________

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What the example is saying about the theme: _______________________________________________

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1. Example #2: _________________________________________________________________________

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What the example is saying about the theme: _______________________________________________

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1. Example #3: _________________________________________________________________________

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What the example is saying about the theme: _______________________________________________

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Now write down one other theme that has importance in the book (your COUNTER-ARGUMENT) ____________________________________________________________________________________

Give an example that helps explain the theme: ______________________________________________

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What the example is saying about the theme: _______________________________________________

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Why your theme is still a better choice for your paper (REBUTTAL): ______________________________

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You’ve just completed the Body of your paper. Stand up and say “I’m the first one done.” If someone else has already said this, say “I’m the second one done.” And so on…

Now for the Introductory paragraph:

Write down a statement about your theme that might be interesting (for example: “There are times when death seems like the only answer…”) This is your GRABBER.

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Now  write a statement answering this question: Which theme is most important in Of Mice and Men?”

This is your THESIS STATEMENT

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Now for the Conclusion paragraph:

First RESTATE YOUR THESIS statement- Say your Thesis statement in another way.

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Then write down a statement that you can finish up your paper with. An interesting way to end your paper- perhaps one final comment on how the theme connects to your own life. This is your KICKER.

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And now put it all together. Write out your paper in this format:

·         Introduction paragraph with your GRABBER first and then your THESIS.

·         Your first body paragraph with three examples of your theme

·         Your second body paragraph with the COUNTER-ARGUMENT and REBUTTAL

·         Conclusion paragraph with your RESTATED THESIS and KICKER