1. Of Mice and Men Preparing for the Open Response

2. Of Mice and Men Open Response
Read each prompt carefully.
Using the planning sheet, complete the steps to plan your response effectively.

3. Discuss Planning Sheet

4. Although plot drives a novel, characters can be driving forces as well
Although plot drives a novel, characters can be driving forces as well. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck provides a number of interesting characters without which the story is not possible. Choose three characters in the novel, describe them, and evaluate their role and connection to a primary theme of the novel: “Our best plans are often disrupted by events and experiences outside our control.”

5. Power Verbs Choose: pick, select, identify…
Describe: tell about, summarize, give details
Evaluate: judge, determine the worth of, decide upon the significance of

6. Critical Vocabulary Of Mice and Men Steinbeck Characters
Role and Connection
Theme
“Theme Statement”

7. What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Organization
What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Paragraphs
Lists
Charts and Graphs

8. Organization for Prompt #1 Example 1 – Using a List
Introduction
List of Characters
A. Character 1 – Description
B. Character 2 – Description
C. Character 3 – Description
Evaluation
Conclusion

9. Organization for Prompt #1 Example 2 – Using Paragraphs
Introduction
Character 1
Character 2
Character 3
Evaluation
Conclusion

10. Rubric - 100
You complete all important components of the prompt and communicate ideas completely
You demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the novel
Where appropriate you offer insightful interpretations or extension of ideas

11. Rubric - 85
You complete most of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
You demonstrate an understanding of the novel even though you overlook or misunderstand some ideas

12. Rubric - 70
You complete some of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
You demonstrate gaps in your understanding of the novel

13. Rubric - 50 You show minimal understanding of the prompt
You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the novel

14. Rubric - 0
Your answer is irrelevant to the prompt, incorrect in ideas, or you failed to give any answer at all

15. A very important event in Of Mice and Men occurs when Candy must decide to allow Carlson to shoot his dog. This event becomes even more significant at the end of the novel when George is faced with a similar decision. Describe the scene in which Candy decides to allow Carlson to take his dog outside and then describe the events that lead into the scene in which George must decide whether he should shoot Lennie or not. Finally, evaluate George’s decision and actions: how is George’s decision similar or different from Candy’s? Are George’s decision and actions justified?

16. Power Verbs
Describe
Evaluate

17. Critical Vocabulary Of Mice and Men Candy, Carlson George, Lennie
Event
Decision, Actions
Similar, Different
Justified

18. What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Organization
What is the best way for me to organize my response?
Paragraphs
Lists
Charts and Graphs

19. An important theme in the novel concerns alienation and loneliness
An important theme in the novel concerns alienation and loneliness. Although Lennie is mentally challenged, he provides companionship, briefly, for Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. Outline how each of these characters is lonely, and then describe how Lennie becomes a companion for them. Finally, evaluate Lennie’s ability to meet the character’s needs and how their relationships leads to tragedy.

20. Power Verbs Critical Vocabulary Organization
Practice
Power Verbs
Critical Vocabulary
Organization

21. Let’s review the scoring rubric one more time

22. Rubric - 100
You complete all important components of the prompt and communicate ideas completely
You demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the novel
Where appropriate you offer insightful interpretations or extension of ideas

23. Rubric - 85
You complete most of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
You demonstrate an understanding of the novel even though you overlook or misunderstand some ideas

24. Rubric - 70
You complete some of the important components of the prompt and communicate clearly
You demonstrate gaps in your understanding of the novel

25. Rubric - 50 You show minimal understanding of the prompt
You demonstrate a lack of understanding of the novel

26. Rubric - 0
Your answer is irrelevant to the prompt, incorrect in ideas, or you failed to give any answer at all