Name: ________________________

Date: _________________________

ENGLISH 10

Essay #2: PERSUASIVE ESSAY, Of Mice and Men

Assignment: Write a persuasive essay based on topics presented on the assignment sheet. The goal of this essay is to write in the persuasive form, emphasizing analysis of the novel, not simply a plot summary. Minimum length of essay is 300 words (about a page and a half, to two pages double spaced.)

____ Ideas and Development

20 __ minimum of 300 words

__ clear succinct thesis statement

__ clear focus on one topic

__ opinion (thesis) supported in a minimum of three ways

__ support is both detailed and specific (show, don’t tell)

____ Organization

20 __ appropriate title

__ introduction: use engaging lead, summarize the story, underline the thesis

__ logical paragraphing to help the reader, one topic per paragraph

__ smooth flow of ideas (easy to follow)

__ elaboration on each point made, use quotes from the book to prove your point.

__ a minimum of one statement of commentary in each paragraph of the body

__ clear paragraph acknowledging the “other side’s” objection to your thesis.

__ clear, forceful conclusion, restates the thesis, restates points made, makes text-to-world connection, including a call to action, hooks back to the lead.

__ essay is in the proper form (persuasive form)

____ Sentence Fluency, Voice, and Word Choice

5 __ sentences flow or read smoothly

__ variety in sentence length and structure

__ variety in sentence beginnings

__ voice is friendly and cooperative, never losing sight of who the audience is

__ appropriate vocabulary

__ vividness of word choice (underline two verbs and two adjectives that help

create a visual picture)

____ Conventions

5 __ neat and legible (typed, double-spaced, one inch margins, 12pt standard font)

__ standard spelling, punctuation, and usage

__ standard use of sentences (no run-ons, fragments, or comma splices)

____ Total