answering essay questions on tests. the format there are ______ paragraphs in an essay there are...

Answering Essay Questions

On Tests

THE FORMAT

• There are ______ paragraphs in an essay

• There are ______ parts in each paragraph

• The ______ types of paragraphs are…

THE FORMAT 2

• There are __5__ paragraphs in an essay

• There are __3__ parts in each paragraph

• The __3___ types of paragraphs are…IntroductionBody ParagraphConclusion

THE FORMAT 3

• The three parts of an introduction are:

• The three parts of a body paragraph are:

• The three parts of a conclusion are:

THE FORMAT 4

• The three parts of an introduction are:HOOK - BACKGROUND - THESIS• The three parts of a body paragraph are:TOPIC-EXAMPLES-CONNECT TO THESIS• The three parts of a conclusion are:RESTATE THESIS-RECAP POINTS-

CONNECT TO READER

Simple Question 1

Which event is the climax in Of Mice and Men? Prove it using

three pieces of evidence.

Simple Question 1: Intro

Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: Every story has a climax.

Background: Define climax…give the setting and general plot for OMAM.

Thesis: The scene in which George kills Lennie was a shocking, but fitting climax for the story.

Simple Question 1: BP 1

Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Everything in the story led to this event.

Example(s): Old Dog…the plan/dream…Lennie’s escalating violence…Curley’s threats…Crooks’ mention of heaven

Connect to Thesis: It was a fitting climax because it brought every aspect of foreshadowing to a neat end.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: This event was a shocking turn of events.

Example(s): the friendship…protagonists…the enduring hope…he’s done so much for him thus far

Connect to Thesis: George’s betrayal made this event a shocking turning point.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: This was the most exciting event in the book.

Example(s): lynch mob…gun…betrayal…anticipation…death of a protagonist

Connect to Thesis: The action and violence of this scene made it a shocking, yet fitting climax for this book.

Simple Question 1: Conclusion

Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: The climax of OMAM was both fitting and shocking.

Recap Points: Everything in the book led to this event, it was a turning point, and it was the most exciting event in the book.

Connect to Reader: If you were writing this story, would you have used a climax like this one?

Simple Question 2

• Choose one theme from Of Mice and Men that is NOT ‘friendship’.• Prove that it is a theme using

three clearly explained examples from the book.


Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: Death is an inevitable part of life.

Background: Define ‘death’…give the setting and general plot for OMAM.

Thesis: Death is a disturbing, yet appropriate theme in OMAM.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: The deaths started small, with mice.

Example(s): Lennie’s fixation with soft items…Aunt Clara tries to help…George discourages it…too strong

Connect to Thesis: These deaths made the reader very aware of Lennie’s size, strength, and his amorality in an appropriate way.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: The deaths continued, this time moving up the food chain to dogs.

Example(s): Old Dog…reasoning…puppies…reasoning…puppy…accident

Connect to Thesis: The fact that the deaths are affecting bigger beings and that they move from reasonable to accidental further the plot appropriately.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: The book comes to a rapid close with the deaths of Curley’s Wife and Lennie.

Example(s): C’s W…accident…loss of the dream…Lennie’s flight…George’s decision

Connect to Thesis: While both of these deaths were upsetting, especially because they were human, they finish a natural progression and neatly end the story with a bit of a twist.


Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: While death is an undeniably creepy topic, it was a fitting theme in OMAM.

Recap Points: The clear progression from mice, to dogs, and then to humans led the reader right to the climax of the book.

Connect to Reader: Do you think it’s necessary to discuss death?

Simple Question 3

• Choose three characters from Of Mice and Men that are antagonists.

• Make sure you define what an antagonist is.

• For each character, give a clear example from the book that proves he or she is an antagonist.

• Which one was the best antagonist? Why?


Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: For every protagonist, there is an antagonist.

Background: Define ‘antagonist’…give the setting and general plot for OMAM.

Thesis: There were many characters who could be considered antagonists, but only one could be the true antagonist.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Curley’s Wife is the first and most obvious antagonist that comes to mind.

Example(s): Weed…people say she’s trouble…George warns Lennie…her death

Connect to Thesis: In life as well as death, Curley’s Wife antagonizes our protagonists, but she’s not the worst of the lot.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Crooks is another character who takes up the mantle of antagonist.

Example(s): tortures Lennie…insists it can’t be done…self-defeatist…backs out completely

Connect to Thesis: While Crooks’s psychological torture and defeatist attitude clearly work against the protagonists, he is still not the most significant antagonist.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Curley, the Napoleon complex ridden pugilist, is a significant antagonist.

Example(s): early appearance…threats…focus on Lennie…crushed hand…vows revenge…forces action

Connect to Thesis: There are many antagonistic characters in this book, but Curley is by far the worst.


Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: Curley was the most pervasive antagonist in OMAM.

Recap Points: While Curley’s Wife and Crooks were clearly a threat to the protagonists’ goal with their manipulations and dire predictions, it was Curley who forced everyone into action that put an end to the dream.

Connect to Reader: Could Steinbeck have made a better antagonist?

Complex Question 1

• The quotes above all describe essentially one concept in Of Mice and Men.

• Take a stance: Could it be done? Was it impossible?• Use at least three of these quotes in your body

paragraphs (don’t re-write them…just refer to them by their letters) for evidence. You may also use other evidence from the book if you would like.

• Support your thesis within the parameters of the book.

Complex Question 1: Intro

Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: Everyone has hopes and dreams.

Background: Define ‘hope’…give the setting and general plot for OMAM…give George and Lennie’s dream/plan

Thesis: George and Lennie’s dream was definitely possible.

Complex Question 1: BP 1

Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: The characters had a first-hand account of the existence of just such a farm.

Example(s): Crooks…Quote B-strawberry patch

Connect to Thesis: If a similar place existed in the near past, surely these three or four characters could make it happen as well.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: While the dream looked dim, even to George and Lennie, they could all recognize its viability.

Example(s): money…support…specific plot of land…Quote A-it was coming true

Connect to Thesis: With all the support at their disposal, even Lennie could see that they were well on their way to achieving their dream.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: One guy, all on his own, could never complete this plan, but between George, Lennie, Candy, and Crooks; it was possible.

Example(s): list what each character bring to the plan…Quote D-never seen “a guy”

Connect to Thesis: Their powers combined, these farm hands were well on their way to purchasing their own land.

Complex Question 1: Conclusion

Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: George and Lennie were going to realize their dream.

Recap Points: They all knew it was possible through first and second hand evidence, and if all of them pooled their resources, it would happen.

Connect to Reader: Do you have a dream you’d like to see come true?

Complex Question 2

• Tom Robinson, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, Romeo Montague, Juliet Capulet, and George Milton all made clearly thought-out decisions about death.

• Which character made the best decision regarding death?

• Choose three characters (one from each work). • Explain the reasoning behind each of their choices

using evidence from each work and clearly state which decision was the best and why.


Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: Everyone is affected by death in different ways.

Background: Define ‘death’…give the setting and general plot for the works you’ll reference…list some choices involved with death

Thesis: Many characters made different decisions concerning death, but only one was the most well-reasoned.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Mrs. Dubose made a decision about death involving personal integrity.

Example(s): identify Mrs. Dubose…explain her situation…her choice…why

Connect to Thesis: While Mrs. Dubose’s decision was a good one for her, there are some characters who were forced into their choice by circumstance.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Tom Robinson did not have many choices given the racial climate in the 1930s.

Example(s): identify Tom Robinson…explain his situation…his choice…why

Connect to Thesis: While it is clear that Robinson had few options, many might not agree with the reasoning behind his choice.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: George Milton was forced to make a horrible decision.

Example(s): identify George and Lennie…explain the situation…his choice…why

Connect to Thesis: Tragically, there was only one moral, well-reasoned decision George could make for the good of Lennie and everyone with whom he came into contact.


Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: George made the best decision regarding death.

Recap Points: Mrs. Dubose’s was good, but personal; Tom Robinson was forced into his decision; but George made a selfless decision for his friend, who was incapable, and for the unwitting people they would meet.

Connect to Reader: In these situations, what choice would you have made?

Complex Question 3

• ‘Friendship’ is a universal theme. • Use examples from TWO of the following

pieces of literature To Kill a Mockingbird, “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”, Of Mice and Men, and ONE from your life to prove the importance and significance of friendship.

• Use clear examples that show friendship.


Hook:

Background:

Thesis:


Hook: Friendship affects everyone in some way.

Background: Define ‘friendship’…give the setting and general plot for the works you’ll reference

Thesis: Friendship changes the course of our lives.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: Jem and Scout’s friendship with Boo saved their lives.

Example(s): identify Jem, Scout, and Boo…explain the situation…saved their lives

Connect to Thesis: Friendship was so powerful a force that it actually saved the children’s lives.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: George and Lennie’s friendship helped them both survive as an example for others.

Example(s): identify George and Lennie…explain the situation…example

Connect to Thesis: This friendship was rare, beautiful, and essential in a terrible, ugly time in our country’s history.


Topic:

Example(s):

Connect to Thesis:


Topic: I have a strong friendship with my mother.

Example(s): identify me and my mother…explain the situation…example

Connect to Thesis: While I never would have guessed it when I was 14, my mother’s friendship is a necessary component in my life.


Restate Thesis:

Recap Points:

Connect to Reader:


Restate Thesis: Friendship is paramount in its importance.

Recap Points: The friendship between Jem, Scout, and Boo saved lives. The friendship between George and Lennie helped them survive. My friendship with my mother has helped me to navigate adult life and to be happier in general.

Connect to Reader: Do you have a friendship that has changed your life?

answering essay questions on tests. the format there are ______ paragraphs in an essay there are...

Documents

simple question

reader slide

thesisrecap points

climax of omam

fitting climax

intro hook

exciting event

shocking turning point