Lesson 2 and 3: Historical Context Essay

Learning Intentions

Explain key factors which defined 1930s America, factors presented in Of Mice and Men.
To empathise with individuals affected by destructive factors of the 1930s by constructing journal entries based on findings.
To (later) relate authorial choices in Of Mice and Men to the historical context.

Essential Question

What was life like in 1930s America for different people in society?

Task 1: Group Discussions

In groups, discuss the following question:

What was it like to live in America during the Great Depression?

Task 2: Watch this video

This video reviews thesis statements, body claims, and relate sentences, but in a non-literary essay context.

Use this video to then answer the previous question as a thesis statement and then consider how each body claim could expand the thesis by breaking it up into three distinct topics.

Task 3: Thesis Statement

Consider the essay question and, using what you have learnt from the video, write your draft thesis statement.

Task 4: Body Claims

Using your thesis statement, consider what your body paragraph topics will be. Then, think about how you will expand upon your thesis and present claims for each body paragraph. Practice.

Task 5: Evidence

Watch the video below regarding non-literary evidence. You will use similar strategies and skills to when you use literary evidence with some minor differences. After you have watched the video, practice with the given claim.

Go back

Task 6: Analysis

Watch the video below about non-literary analysis. You will continue to use the three-tier system which still focuses on cause/effect relationships of the smallest parts at level 1, the whole system and its parts at level 2, and broader connections at level 3. However, there are some minor differences to understand.