Literary Analysis Writing for ESL Students

Quinn ESL English Content October 23 Claim writing

Name_________________________________________

Content Objective:  Students will practice writing a paragraph about the theme of racism in Of Mice and Men

Language Objective: Students will work in partners to put the paragraph in the correct order.

Agenda:

1.    Review the Objectives

2.    Work with partners on putting the paragraph in the correct order.

3.    Practice writing claims with themes.

4.    Choose the theme that you will write about for your essay.

Exit Ticket:

Finish the Analysis of all of the claims.

Choose which theme you will write your essay about (friendship or loneliness)

SAMPLE CLAIM PARAGRAPH ABOUT RACISM
In the novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck the theme of racism is presented though the actions of Crooks.  The theme is the lesson learned by reader from the novel. There was racism on the ranch because Crooks was not allowed to live or spend time with anyone else on the ranch because he was African American, and he was isolated because of his race. One example from the novel that supports this idea is when Crooks is talking to Lennie about his room and how he can’t play cards with anyone because he is black. One quote that supports this idea is when he says to Lennie, “’Cause I’m black, they play cards in there” (page 69). This quote teaches the reader that Crooks is angry  about being left out all of the time. Racism is present because Crooks was not allowed to be with his friends.

Three Different Basic Claims

Claim # 1:  There was racism on the ranch because Crooks is not allowed to live or spend time with anyone else on the ranch because of his skin color

Evidence:  What would one examples from the book to support this idea be?

One example from the novel that supports this idea is when Crooks is talking to Lennie about his room and how he can’t play cards with anyone because he is black. One quote that supports this idea is when he says to Lennie, “’Cause I’m black, they play cards in there” (page 69).

Analysis:

This quote teaches the reader that Crooks is angry about being left out all of the time. Racism is present because Crooks was not allowed to be with his friends.

                 

Claim # 2: Crooks, Lennie and Candy are all alone because of their physical and mental disability; Crooks has an injury on his back and Lennie is mentally deficient and Candy is an older man

Evidence:

One example from the novel that supports this idea is when Crooks is talking to Lennie  and Candy about their dreams, they are all thinking about life in another place. One quote that supports this idea is when he says to Lennie, “  . . . if you guys would want a hand to work for notheting- just keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I aint so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a bittch if I want to.” (page 76)

Analysis:

This quote shows . . .

Claim # 3: George and Lennie demonstrate a strong friendship because George looks after and protects Lennie from conflicts. 

Evidence: One example from the novel that supports this idea is when George lies about where Lennie ran to after everyone found out he killed Curley’s wife. One quote that supports this idea is when George lies and says, “‘He would of went south’ he said, ‘we come from the north so he would of went south’ ” (page 97).

Analysis: This quote shows . . .

Version 1 Quinn ESL ELA Essay Support Literary Analysis Essay

Name_____________________________________________

Introduction

In the novel, Of Mice and Men,   by John Steinbeck, the theme of ________________ (racism or Loneliness or friendship) appears to show

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(There was racism on the ranch because Crooks is not allowed to live or spend time with anyone else on the ranch because of his skin color  OR  Crooks, Lennie and Candy are all alone because of their physical and mental disability; Crooks has an injury on his back and Lennie is mentally deficient and Candy is an older man  OR  George and Lennie demonstrate a strong friendship because George looks after and protects Lennie from conflicts)

A theme is the lesson that the reader learns from an idea in the novel. Two examples in the novel that show this theme are

_____________________________________________________________________________________ and

____________________________________________________________________________________ The reader learns

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BODY PARAGRAPH ONE

Claim: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: 

One example from the book that supports this idea is___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One quote from the book that supports this idea

is___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Analysis:

This quote teaches the reader that ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BODY PARAGRAPH TWO

Claim: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence: 

Another example from the book that supports this idea is___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another quote from the book that supports this idea

is___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Analysis:

This quote teaches the reader that ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Version 2 Quinn ESL ELA Essay Support Literary Analysis Essay

Name_____________________________________________________

In the novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck the theme of ____________________ is presented though the actions of _______________.  The theme is the lesson learned by reader from the novel. There was __________________________________ on the ranch because _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________One example from the novel that supports this idea is when _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. One quote that supports this idea is when _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Page #______).  This quote teaches the reader __________________________________________________________________