of mice and men preparing for the open response. of mice and men open response read each prompt...
TRANSCRIPT
Of Mice and Men
Preparing for the Open Response
Of Mice and MenOpen Response
• Read each prompt carefully.
• Using the planning sheet, complete the steps to plan your response effectively.
Discuss
Planning Sheet
Although plot drives a novel, characters can be driving forces as well. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck provides a number of interesting characters without which the story is not possible. Choose three characters in the novel, describe them, and evaluate their role and connection to a primary theme of the novel: “Our best plans are often disrupted by events and experiences outside our control.”
Power Verbs
Choose: pick, select, identify…
Describe: tell about, summarize, give details
Evaluate: judge, determine the worth of, decide upon the significance of
Critical Vocabulary
Of Mice and Men
Steinbeck
Characters
Role and Connection
Theme
“Theme Statement”
Organization
What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Paragraphs
Lists
Charts and Graphs
Organization for Prompt #1Example 1 – Using a List
I. Introduction
II. List of Characters
A. Character 1 – Description
B. Character 2 – Description
C. Character 3 – Description
III. Evaluation
IV. Conclusion
Organization for Prompt #1Example 2 – Using Paragraphs
I. Introduction
II. Character 1
III. Character 2
IV. Character 3
V. Evaluation
VI. Conclusion
Rubric - 100
•You complete all important components of the prompt and communicate ideas completely
•You demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the novel
•Where appropriate you offer insightful interpretations or extension of ideas
Rubric - 85
•You complete most of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
•You demonstrate an understanding of the novel even though you overlook or misunderstand some ideas
Rubric - 70
•You complete some of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
•You demonstrate gaps in your understanding of the novel
Rubric - 50
•You show minimal understanding of the prompt
•You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the novel
Rubric - 0
•Your answer is irrelevant to the prompt, incorrect in ideas, or you failed to give any answer at all
A very important event in Of Mice and Men occurs when Candy must decide to allow Carlson to shoot his dog. This event becomes even more significant at the end of the novel when George is faced with a similar decision. Describe the scene in which Candy decides to allow Carlson to take his dog outside and then describe the events that lead into the scene in which George must decide whether he should shoot Lennie or not. Finally, evaluate George’s decision and actions: how is George’s decision similar or different from Candy’s? Are George’s decision and actions justified?
Power Verbs
Describe
Describe
Evaluate
Critical Vocabulary
Of Mice and Men
Candy, Carlson
George, Lennie
Event
Decision, Actions
Similar, Different
Justified
Organization
What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Paragraphs
Lists
Charts and Graphs
An important theme in the novel concerns alienation and loneliness. Although Lennie is mentally challenged, he provides companionship, briefly, for Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. Outline how each of these characters is lonely, and then describe how Lennie becomes a companion for them. Finally, evaluate Lennie’s ability to meet the character’s needs and how their relationships leads to tragedy.
Practice
Power Verbs
Critical Vocabulary
Organization
Let’s review the scoring rubric one more time
Rubric - 100
•You complete all important components of the prompt and communicate ideas completely
•You demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the novel
•Where appropriate you offer insightful interpretations or extension of ideas
Rubric - 85
•You complete most of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
•You demonstrate an understanding of the novel even though you overlook or misunderstand some ideas
Rubric - 70
•You complete some of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
•You demonstrate gaps in your understanding of the novel
Rubric - 50
•You show minimal understanding of the prompt
•You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the novel
Rubric - 0
•Your answer is irrelevant to the prompt, incorrect in ideas, or you failed to give any answer at all