Book Review
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

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Persuasive Writing:  A Book Review

You have read Steinbeck's novel. It is time for a critical review!

Standards
 
A Book Review is a persuasive essay in which you provide critical and objective opinions about a book.
Persuasive essays are typified by the following characteristics:
1.  include a well defined thesis that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment
2.  support arguments with detailed evidence, examples, and reasoning
3.  arrange details, reasons, and examples effectively, anticipating and answering reader concerns and counter arguments.
   
     Having formed your own opinions about Of Mice and Men, share them with others.  Write a book review that persuades the reader to read or not read the novel.  

TASK:wheat

  FIRST:  Use the resources listed below to learn about book reviews. They will help you in 2 ways:
    1.  by providing suggestions on how to write a book review
    2.  by providing samples of book reviews

SECOND:  THINK:  What did you like about the novel?  What did you dislike? Would you recommend it?  Yes or no?  Why/
THIRD:  ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS             range
    Use Inspiration to create a web or outline.  Select your strongest opinions to include.  Use the book to find examples and details that will support your opinions.  Arrange these idea logically.

FOURTH:  Using your ideas and the information on"How to Write a Book Review" provided...WRITE, REVISE, EDIT, and                    PUBLISH a book review.
                                       

         grass RESOURCES:
How to Write a Book Review
Read a Book Review  
Consult these sites to view the structure of a book review.  Follow the step-by-step directions.

Information about the author:
Biography of Steinbeck
Steinbeck's Biography and Times
Add authenticity to your review by understanding the author, his purpose, the times in which he lived. Include some of this knowledge in your review.  Be sure to include bibliographic information in a "Works Cited" list and to parenthetically document information and quotations.


There are many other on-line resources that may assist you as you learn about writing book reviews and become more knowledgeable about John Steinbeck.  If you find some good ones, share them with your teacher!                                                                      


STANDARDS                            ranch
Each of these items will be assessed in your final essay.

ARGUMENT/MESSAGE
1.  Original, thematically connected title is included.
2.  Introduction is clear, interesting, and leads to a thesis.
3.  Thesis is clearly stated in the introduction.
4.  Opinion is supported with relevant examples and facts.
5.  Supporting examples are fully explained and contain elaborated detail.
6.  Quotations from the novel are included, when effective.
7.  Word choices are strong, specific, and scholarly.
8.  Conclusion is effective and provides closure to the topic.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
1.  Ideas are logically presented.
2.  Transitional words and phrases tie together ideas and paragraphs.
3.  Paragraphs contain clear, appropriate topic and concluding sentences.
4.  Sentences sound natural, not choppy or awkward.
5.  Run-on sentences and sentence fragments are avoided.

CONVENTIONS AND FORMAT
1.  Spelling is generally correct.
2.  Punctuation is appropriate.
3.  Capitalization is correct.
4.  No major errors are evident in grammar and usage.
5.  Neat appearance and proper format are exhibited.
6.  Quotations and expert information is properly cited with parenthetical documentation.
7.  A list of Works Cited is properly included, citing outside resources.

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mouse        "...the best laid schemes of mice and men often go astray." (Robert Burns)