This document outlines a critical analysis essay assignment for Composition I (ENGL 1301) at El Paso Community College. It’s designed for students to practice analyzing and responding to scholarly criticism of John Steinbeck’s *Of Mice and Men*.
This assignment is central to developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Students will engage with an existing critical article by Professor Thomas Scarseth and formulate their own informed opinions, supported by evidence from both the criticism and the novel itself. It’s used as a major assessment of students’ ability to interpret complex texts and construct well-supported arguments.
This document does *not* provide the essay itself, nor does it offer a complete analysis of *Of Mice and Men* or Scarseth’s article. It requires students to independently read, interpret, and respond.
The document provides: the essay topic, learning objectives, a link to the online publishing platform (edmodo.com), a suggested timeline (two to three weeks), and a sample outline to guide student work. It also lists the relevant reading, writing, speaking, and language standards met by completing the assignment.