1. YOUR TOP 3 THESIS STATEMENTS 1.#9: In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men figurative language and tone help show that the American Dream can go two ways, it can either help or hurt you as you pursue your life goals. 2.#10: In the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck uses historical setting to portray people isolating themselves when lost of security and hope is with in a person. 3.#23: In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, it is evident through imagery, foreshadowing, and conflict that the American Dream is always a motivation, but not always a destination.

2. MR. WILSON’S TOP 3 THESIS STATEMENTS 1.#18: In the story Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck shows that friendship opens new opportunities through the thoughts of George and Lennie. 2.#23: In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, it is evident through imagery, foreshadowing, and conflict that the American Dream is always a motivation, but not always a destination. 3.#25: Through the use of characters in his book, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates without dreams life is not worth living.

3. TOPIC SENTENCES Guides for your paragraphs…

4. TWO JOBS… 1.Preview what the paragraph will be about—WHAT IS YOUR MAIN POINT?  As the main characters, George and Lennie uphold the hope of their dream of owning their own ranch.

5. TWO JOBS… 1.Transition from the previous paragraph’s point—what is the LINK between paragraphs?  Similar to George and Lennie’s dream, Crooks longs to be accepted and work on the dream ranch, but his race holds him back from living his dream.

6. QUICK CHECKLIST 1.Does your topic sentence explain what the MAIN point of the paragraph is? 2.Does your topic sentence provide a specific purpose for the paragraph? 3.Does your topic sentence LINK together the previous paragraph and the current paragraph

7. FINAL PRACTICE  Use the following thesis statement to write a topic sentence for a potential body paragraph:  In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s contradictory character represents the struggles of growing up.

8. SHARING CATCHER TOPIC SENTENCES  Share your Catcher topic sentences in your groups, please.

9. BODY PARAGRAPH WRITING  In your journal, you are to write a complete body paragraph (8- 10 sentences) in support of this thesis statement:  In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s contradictory character represents the struggles of growing up.