The Process

"The best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray." - Robert Burns

John Steinbeck  titled his novel after this phrase.  What does this saying mean to you?  As you read the novel, Of Mice and Men, try to determine the connection to this phrase.

First:

• Get yourself a copy of the novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, and find a quiet place to enjoy your reading.  Be sure to keep an active reading log to trace the events and your responses to the story.
  
• Think about how it must feel to move from place to place to gain a livelihood.  Do a bit of research to learn about the life of migrant farm workers.  Do you think this kind of lifestyle might lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation?
  
• Select one character from the novel that you will analyze to determine how the he/she thinks, feels and acts throughout the novel.

Next

• Download the Essay Organizer and save it in your folder.
• Open the essay organizer and leave it open.
• Use Thesis Builder to help you create a thesis statement around which you will build your persuasive argument.
• Copy and paste your thesis statement into the first section of the Essay Organizer.  
• Save this document on your computer. 
• You will then fill in the topic sentences and supporting details to back up your thesis statement.
• Write your first draft. 

Then

• Use the Arms Revision Process to revise your essay.
• Exchange your essay with a peer and use the Revision Checklist to critique one another's essay.
• Write your second draft.

Finally

• Exchange papers again to proofread your essays.
• Write and submit your final draft to your teacher for publication.