Of mice and men Style

This can be a challenge to write about but being able to focus on the language of the writer is the key way to achieve the highest possible grades in all your exams. Writing about style shows the ability to look beyond the text and the story and to be more critical and analytical about the writer’s work. Simply retelling the plot is dull and will not get marks.

Steinbeck's Style What? Typical examples and why they are significant?

Steinbeck's Style Tight and controlled he uses every word carefully. Lots of key details to help set the scene and atmosphere He often uses the five senses His style is simple and straightforward. Harsh and hard language that is typical of the ranch workers Use of images, simile, metaphor and personification Linking imagery Foreshadowing of events that create a dark mood and atmosphere Look for examples of Steinbeck’s style as you read

Getting a good grade A good essay in the exam will focus on the question Plan key ideas You should highlight key words that you want to focus on You will always use quotes You will always use TEXAS or more You should always focus on the language used= higher grade skill

Essay Describe a section of a text that you have studied that created a strong sense of suspense AND analyse how this suspense was created. Briefly describe the fight scene in “Of mice and men”. Explain how Steinbeck builds up the atmosphere and tension? What are the Key words and focus for an essay plan?

Essay Describe a section of a text that you have studied that created a strong sense of suspense AND analyse how this suspense was created. Key words and focus for an essay plan

Why is the fight scene important in Of mice and men? How does Steinbeck build up atmosphere and tension? Set the scene- but beware of story telling = lose marks Link to themes that are shown Who is involved and how do they react? Why is this scene so significant for the characters? How does Steinbeck build up tension and atmosphere? Language and style

Find examples of the build up of tension and atmosphere – look for: Violence in speech Images and used Choice of descriptions / language Fear built up Speed of events Tension in their relationships between the men Contrast between Lennie’s gentleness and Lennie’s power

Find examples of the build up of tension and atmosphere – look for: Violence in speech: ‘You god damn punk’ p90 Images and used: ‘flopping like a fish’,p91 ‘bleated with terror’ p91 Choice of words: ‘smashed’ ‘slashed’ p90 Fear built up: ‘Lennie looked helplessly at George’ Speed of events everything goes out of control: ‘George ran across the room’ Tension in their relationships between the men ‘Candy joined in the attack with joy.’ Contrast between Lennie’s gentleness and Lennie’s power ‘Lennie covered his face’ ‘blood ran down Lennie’s face’ p91

Task Read through the following student examples looking for good writing and what they can do to improve and get the grade.

Student responses This scene is important because it is the scene where Lennie crushes Curley’s hand. He shows how strong he is and how he can easily loose control over himself. At first Lennie does not react, despite Curley attacking him however when George shouts ‘Get him Lennie’ he does fight back. Lennie’s strength is uncontrolled and this is one of his main problems.

Student responses – Steinbeck uses the fight scene to show the easy violence and frustrations on the ranch and in the times that George and Lennie were living through. The scene builds up with a tense atmosphere of cruelty, relish and violence. It is an escape from the mundane lives the men live working hard on a ranch in poor conditions, with few rights.

Student responses In this scene Lennie crushes Culey’s hand. He is in the fight because Curley is bullying him and Curley was annoyed. Lennie is very strong and this is seen when he attacks Curley. Curley’s hand is totally crushed.

Student responses In this scene Lennie crushes Culey’s hand. He is in the fight because Curley is bullying him and Curley was annoyed. Lennie is very strong and this is seen when he attacks Curley. Curley’s hand is totally crushed.

Planning Good writers plan – it can be as simple as three key bullet points a mini mind map or headings with some notes Keep focused on answering the question and the ideas that you have been asked to write about. DON’T RETELL THE STORY. DON’T WRITE EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT STEINBECK.

Task Write your own opening paragraph to the essay question: Describe a section of a text that you have studied that created a strong sense of suspense AND analyse how this suspense was created. Write this essay Review the class notes on Steinbeck's style reminding yourself to focus on language and language techniques to get good grades.