1. Past Papers & Exam Preparation
Of Mice and Men
Past Papers & Exam Preparation

2. Your A grade Literature essay looks like this:
Intro
(a few sentences summary of the text + details of history) ↓
Main Analysis
8 quotes (PEEs) that answer question
Conclusion
(directly link all of your points back to the question
Explore the moral / purpose of the text)

3. Extract Question: part a Whole novel Question: part b
Extract: Find approx. 5 quotes to write on far part a.
Extract Question: part a
Whole novel Question: part b

4. Example of great PEED:
clear point
well chosen quote
Steinbeck presents Crooks as an extremely isolated figure. When his living quarters are described the phrase “small electric globe threw a meagre yellow light” conveys and intense loneliness about the character. “globe” has connotations of the world, as if Crooks is attempting create his own universe due to the racism and rejection he experiences from 1930’s American society. The “meagre” light encourages pity from readers who perceive his almost failed attempt to construct a better life for himself. Crooks’ room isn’t even introduced until chapter four, late in the novel, again implying his lack of importance and isolation.
key terms
delves
deeply
evaluates
language
context
impact on
audience
evaluates
structure

5. Peer Assess: Which Grade Are YOU?
C : - Makes a clear point related to the question - Uses a quote - Some basic evaluation of quote - Basic understanding of text
B : - Makes an insightful point related to the question - Uses a well selected quote - In-depth evaluation of quote (LAL) - Good understanding of writer’s intent - Some comment on structural choices
A : - Makes an insightful, interesting point related to the question - Uses one or more well selected quotes - Insightful & in-depth evaluation of quotes (LAL) - Excellent understanding of writers’ intentions - Insightful comment on structural choices
A*: - All A grade criteria plus… - Unique points made with flair & originality
+ REFER TO CONTEXT
(1930s)

6. ALWAYS answer
BOTH parts
of the question!

8. Your A grade Literature essay looks like this:
Intro
(A few sentences summary of the text, question + details of history) ↓
Main Analysis
5xPEED/LAL paragraphs on the extract that answer question
3xPEED/LAL paragraphs on the novel (part b) that answer the Q
Conclusion
(Directly link all of your points back to the question & summarise the answer.
Explore the moral / purpose of the text)

9. Explore the ways Steinbeck presents ‘Insert name here’
Use quotes and say what they show. (C)
Analyse any specific words (language). (B)
Explore why certain events take place at certain stages of the text (structure). (A)

10. The perfect A grade paragraph…
Curley is an aggressive character, “Curley lashed his body around”. This shows how Curley spins around angrily to shout at George. (C)
The word ‘lashed’ suggests he is quick and angry. (B)
The way Steinbeck introduces Curley as an aggressive character at such an early stage of the novel suggests to the reader he will be a trouble maker. (A)

11. TOP ‘A’ GRADE TIPS MENTION WRITING TECHNIQUES
EXAMINERS SAY: ‘LAL’ ON LANGAUGE
MENTION ‘STEINBECK’ A LOT
MENTION ‘THE READER’ A LOT

12. “Try to understand each other”
The meaning:
“Try to understand each other”

13. Extract Question: part a Whole novel Question: part b
Extract: Find approx. 5 quotes to write on far part a.
Extract Question: part a
Whole novel Question: part b
Try to reference 3 other places in the text where attitudes to women are presented

14. Brief & refers to question: “methods…Steinbeck”
Model Example: 27/30
Intro:
Brief & refers to question: “methods…Steinbeck”
Main Body:
‘Perfect’ PEED paragraphs on the extract, LAL-ing & evaluating structure too x5

15. Model Example: 27/30 Main Body:
‘Perfect’ PEED paragraphs on the extract, LAL-ing & evaluating structure too x5

16. Model Example: 27/30 Main Body:
Moves onto part b ‘Perfect’ PEED paragraphs on the novel, LAL-ing & evaluating structure too X3

17. Main Body/Conclusion:
Model Example: 27/30
Main Body/Conclusion:
‘Perfect’ PEED paragraphs on the novel; continued. TOTAL: 4 sides of A4 in 45 mins

18. Your A grade Literature essay looks like this:
Intro
(A few sentences summary of the text, question + details of history) ↓
Main Analysis
5xPEED/LAL paragraphs on the extract that answer question
3xPEED/LAL paragraphs on the novel (part b) that answer the Q
Conclusion
(Directly link all of your points back to the question & summarise the answer.
Explore the moral / purpose of the text)

19. Peer Assess: Which Grade Are YOU?
C : - Makes a clear point related to the question - Uses a quote - Some basic evaluation of quote - Basic understanding of poem
B : - Makes an insightful point related to the question - Uses a well selected quote - In-depth evaluation of quote (LAL) - Good understanding of poet’s intent - Some comment on structural choices
A : - Makes an insightful, interesting point related to the question - Uses many well selected quotes - Insightful & in-depth evaluation of quotes (LAL) - Excellent understanding of poet’s intentions - Insightful comment on structural choices
A*: - All A grade criteria plus… - Unique points made with flair & originality
ALL QUESTIONS
SHOULD REFER
TO CONTEXT
(1930s)

20. WWW & EBI?
WWW
Some great LAL-ing e.g. “tramp” = unwanted, scavenging for men. Light & dark symbolism. Connotations of red.
Some sensitivity; CW’s loneliness, disrespect from society, uncaring husband etc.
Some mentioned significance of Wall St Crash of 1929 (Oli Bishop) = hold onto the few things you have, e.g. a wife.
Some LAL on apostrophe of Curley’s Wife
Some good refs to other parts of the text: “Whore/cat house”, “rat trap”, “jail bait”
Sadly to refs to Aunt Clara = A* for insight into representation of women = carers, stereotypes etc.
EBI
More formal/sophisticated answers.
No apostrophe on 1930s unless 1930’s America; apostrophe on Curley’s Wife.
More sensitivity needed from some!
Analyse whole extract; many missed Slim & Lennie’s reactions to CW.
Reference key parts in the text for part b NOT the extract; e.g. her threat to Crooks, her death, she dislike Curley etc.
Evaluate structural choices of Steinbeck & effects on readers.

21. Highlight 5 Key Quotes that present Crooks’ character: Part a: How does Steinbeck use details to present Crooks in this extract. Part b: Explain the importance of what the reader learns here in terms of the novel as a whole.
Crooks, the negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn. On one side of the little room there was a square four-paned window, and on the other, a narrow plank door leading into the barn. Crooks' bunk was a long box filled with straw, on which his blankets were flung. On the wall by the window there were pegs on which hung broken harness in process of being mended; strips of new leather; and under the window itself a little bench for leather-working tools, curved knives and needles and balls of linen thread, and a small hand riveter. On pegs were also pieces of harness, a split collar with the horsehair stuffing sticking out, a broken hame, and a trace chain with its leather' covering split. Crooks had his apple box over his bunk, and in it a range of medicine bottles, both for himself and for the horses. There were cans of saddle soap and a drippy can of tar with its paint brush sticking over the edge. And scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions; for, being alone, Crooks could leave his things about, and being a stable buck. and a cripple, he was more permanent than the other men, and he had accumulated more possessions than he could carry on his back.
Crooks possessed several pairs of shoes, a pair of rubber boots, a big alarm clock and a single-barreled shotgun. And he had books, too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for There were battered magazines and a few dirty books on a special shelf over his bunk. A pair of large gold-rimmed spectacles hung from a nail on the wall above his bed.
This room was swept and fairly neat, for Crooks was a proud, aloof man. He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs. His body was bent over to the left by his crooked spine, and his eyes lay deep in his head, and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity. His lean face was lined with deep black wrinkles, and he had thin, pain-tightened lips which were lighter than his face.
It was Saturday night. Through the open door that led into the barn came the sound of moving horses, of feet stirring, of teeth champing on hay, of the rattle of halter chains. In the stable buck's room a small electric globe threw a meager yellow light.
Crooks sat on his bunk. His shirt was out of his jeans in back. In one hand he held a bottle of liniment, and with the other he rubbed his spine. Now and then he poured a few drops of the liniment into his pink-palmed hand and reached up under his shirt to rub again. He flexed his muscles against his back and shivered.
Noiselessly Lennie appeared in the open doorway and stood there looking in, his big shoulders nearly filling the opening. For a moment Crooks did not see him, but on raising his eyes he stiffened and a scowl came on his face. His hand came out from under his shirt.
Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. Crooks said sharply, "You got no right to come in my room. This here's my room. Nobody got any right in here but me."

22. Other Events Involving Black in the 1930s?
Beating up Crooks at Christmas
Crooks & Curley’s wife – threats made to get him lynched
Continual use of “nigger” term
Use “stable buck” i.e. job/worker not person
Left when the others go out to the cat house
Other minorities mistreated e.g. elderly, ill, disabled

23. Part a: How does Steinbeck use details to present Crooks in this extract. Part b: Explain the importance of what the reader learns here in terms of the novel as a whole.
Part a:
In the first four paragraphs of Chapter four, the reader is already aware of how lonely and broken, both physically and mentally, Crooks is. However, he is clever and proud. Crooks, “the negro stable buck” is restricted from communicating with the other workers as he had “his bunk in the harness room" which means that he is isolated from the other workers. The fact that he is the only black worker on the ranch shows him to be of some insignificance, meaning that he is not important enough to have a living space separated from the working environment. The way he is so ostracised results in his lonesomeness which he resents.
Part b:
When Crooks is first mentioned in the novel, in chapter, two, the term “nigger” is repeatedly used by Candy. Steinbeck emphasises how racist the 1930’s society was and uses abrasive, shocking language such as this to highlight the point to readers early on in the text. Additionally, Candy’s narrates a story to George about how the mean got drunk and beat up Crooks one Christmas; this verbal and physical violence reflects the firmly embedded prejudices of the 30s and encourages modern readers to pity the plight of minority groups, such as blacks.

24. You! Writing amazing paragraphs.
Your Turn!
Make a clear, relevant point that relates to the QUESTION
Include a well-selected quote; that has layers
Evaluate the impact & meanings of the language (words)
AND/OR evaluate the impact of the structure of the quote (punctuation used & effect/where positioned in the text & why?)
Delve deeply; fully explore connotations of key words/images
Refer to the impact the writer has on readers
Use key English terms e.g. metaphor, monologue, iambic pentameter, symbolism, imagery etc.
Consider context.
You! Writing amazing paragraphs.

25. Peer Assess: Which Grade Are YOU?
C : - Makes a clear point related to the question - Uses a quote - Some basic evaluation of quote - Basic understanding of poem
B : - Makes an insightful point related to the question - Uses a well selected quote - In-depth evaluation of quote (LAL) - Good understanding of poet’s intent - Some comment on structural choices
A : - Makes an insightful, interesting point related to the question - Uses many well selected quotes - Insightful & in-depth evaluation of quotes (LAL) - Excellent understanding of poet’s intentions - Insightful comment on structural choices
A*: - All A grade criteria plus… - Unique points made with flair & originality
ALL QUESTIONS
SHOULD REFER
TO CONTEXT
(1930s)

26. Part a: Continued
The beginning of the second paragraph of Chapter four informs the reader of Crook’s possessions and their significance to his individual qualities. It becomes clear that he owns “a big alarm clock, and a single-barrelled shot-gun”, the fact that he owns an alarm clock could suggest that he likes to be on time and is always cautious and aware of his surroundings. The single-barrelled shot-gun implies that he feels the need to protect himself and that he lives in constant danger.
There are many aspects of Crooks personality that shine through within the chapter. He owns “a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905” which insinuates that he is interested in his rights however, they are outdated and not of great use; much the same as his “battered magazines”. In addition to this it is evident from the fact that he “kept his distance and demanded that other people kept theirs” that he prefers to keep himself to himself; this could be because he knows that when in other people’s company it may bring racism and prejudice. It could also imply that he is scared to trust people. The verb ‘demanded’ is harsh and shows that he is very keen to let…

27. Key pages: George and Lennie intro = P.19 The ‘dream’ = P.31
Curley’s intro = P.46
Curley’s wife intro = P.53
Slim’s intro = P.55
What happened in Weed = P.66
Candy’s dog = P.73
Candy comes in on the dream = P.87
The outcasts = P.99
Curley’s wife and Lennie = P.123
Lennie’s vision and death =P.141
The meaning of the novel = 149