Mrs. Little Independent Reading
English I2015-2016
Sally Student
November 5, 2015
English I
Book Report 1
Of Mice and Men Book Report
Book information: 5 to 10 sentences
Who is the author? When was it published? What is the genre? Explain interesting background you find on this novel. Perhaps it is fiction, but it is based on true events. Explain the interesting/unique elements that went into writing this novel. Make sure your writing is fluid and has cadence. In other words, do not merely answer each question listed above without connections and transitions.
Summary:10 to 20 sentences
Summarize the events that take place in the story. The key word is summarize; you don’t need to tell me the protagonist’s favorite food unless it is truly pertinent to the rest of the plot. Remember to just give the plot details. Also, if there is a twist ending, you may not want to give it away for your reader. Think about how movie trailers leave teasers and use that to entice your reader to go out and get the book.
Critique: 8 to 12 sentences
This is not simply telling your reader that you liked it or didn’t like it. You need to explain text elements. Discuss the author’s style or his/her ability to add suspense. What was interesting or unique? Perhaps the events are not in order or the twist at the end was lame. You can be critical, but explain the elements of the text that bring you to this opinion. “I just didn’t like it” communicates two things: 1) I didn’t really read it and/or just skimmed it and 2) I cannot think for myself so I will play it safe.
Recommendation: 5 to 10 sentences
This is the place where you can explain why you did or didn’t like it. You cannot just say you would or wouldn’t recommend it, however. You should have some reasons to back this up. Remember to keep your writing academic – “because it was stupid” is not a reason.
You should have a minimum of about 30 sentences. If the above format is followed you should have a page of writing. I am not going to count your sentences. I am grading on your ability to show what you have read and how well you can express your ideas about it in writing. You will also need to submit your paper to turnitin.com by the due date for on-time credit. This process will be explained and demonstrated for you.
Sally Student
November 5, 2015
English I
Book Report 1
Of Mice and Men Book Report
John Steinbeck’s [TL1]gripping tale of friendship and loneliness is a timeless classic for any historic fiction [TL2]fan. In Of Mice and Men[TL3], published in 1937[TL4], George and Lennie portray the kind of relationship that is hard to pin down, yet one to which many can relate. Originally meant as a play for the stage[TL5], Steinbeck changed his story into a novella – this style is evident in each of the six chapters as each opens with a description of the setting, followed by authentic dialogue from the characters. And it is the many well-rounded characters in addition to the flat characters that make this story so memorable.[TL6]
During the Depression of the 1930s, George and Lennie set out to find employment as migrant workers on ranches. The two men (though Lennie’s mental disability likens him more to a small child) [TL7]find work in Salinas and meet many men and one treacherous woman, all of whom carry their own loneliness. George, a small, curt man, takes care of the giant teddy bear Lennie. While Lennie’s size makes him a star worker on the ranch, it is revealed that his strength has “gotten them in hot water” in the past. In one instance, Lennie accidentally kills a mouse and tries to keep it as he likes its soft fur. [TL8]George must play the parent to Lennie throughout the text, though they are not related. As the book progresses, readers meet Candy, the old swamper who keeps an old, smelly dog; Crooks, a black stable buck with a crooked back; Curley, the boss’s cruel son [TL9]and his wife, a raging flirt; and Slim, “the prince of the ranch.” [TL10]These characters’ all show how lonely the world is…[TL11]it seems only George and Lennie have each other, a source of hope that leads them to dream of owning their own ranch. Will they ever fulfil their dream? Can they overcome the hopelessness and isolation of the time? [TL12]Pick up Of Mice and Men to find the answers to these questions.
Beyond the page-turning talent of Steinbeck’s[TL13] writing[TL14], there are many other reasons to pick up this book. As mentioned above, his characters are complex and interesting. Even characters who are seemingly flat, allow the reader to consider their point of view. The settings are rich and vivid with imagery, providing clear vision in the reader’s mind. Steinbeck is a simple writer, employing colloquial slang to bring authenticity to his story; yet he also manages to embed foreshadowing, symbols, and metaphor, which allow for a deeper analysis of his social commentary of the time[TL15]. While at times, the plot seems to slither along, it aided in the feelings people of the time would have felt living through the Great Depression.
Thus, due to the suspenseful plot, relatable characters, and intriguing style, [TL16]I would recommend Of Mice and Men to any reader of high school age or older. Some mature scenes and statements require an older audience, but strong and more basic level readers could easily comprehend this book and enjoy it. I thoroughly enjoyed this bittersweet tale of two friends chasing their American Dream as many have before and many will well into the future.[TL17]
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. 5. New York: Penguin, 1995. Print.
[TL1] Author’s full name
[TL2]Genre
[TL3]Title in italics
[TL4]Year published
[TL5]Interesting background info
[TL6]Transition into summary paragraph
[TL7]Specific detail
[TL8]Specific details
[TL9]Stylistic choice from me using semicolons here
[TL10]Quote from the book (it’s short and embedded in my sentence)
[TL11]Again, showing style of my writing using an ellipsis
[TL12]Questions to create interest
[TL13]Notice I only use his last name here…NEVER refer to the author by just his/her first name, unless you personally know him/her. Once you reference his/her full first/last name, you can refer to the author by his/her last name throughout.
[TL14]Transition into critique paragraph
[TL15]This entire section focuses on the writing itself, not the plot of the book.
[TL16]Transition into recommendation and conclusion
[TL17]Kind of a lame end, but it’s Sunday, and I’m tired…so be more creative than your lame teacher…k?