What are some thesis statements for the novelette Of Mice and Men? I was supposed to write an essay regarding major themes in this story. I chose...

A thesis statement should accomplish three things:

1. It should make a specific argument about the topic.


2. It should give the reader a preview of what will be discussed in the paper that follows it.


3. It should include a "so what?" - why are you making the argument you are making? Why should the audience care? In this case, what is the purpose of Steinbeck using these particular themes? What is he trying to say?

Based on what you have in your question, I would start with a thesis like this:

"In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the companionship between two friends, the impossibility of the American dream, and the state of misfits in society in order to ________________________"

Options to put in the blank:

• "demonstrate the futility of hard work and cooperation as sufficient to achieve success."


• "show the powerlessness of the working class."


• "demonstrate how striving for a dream can destroy relationships."


• something else you come up with while writing the body paragraphs :)

Whatever you decide to put in that blank is the concept that will tie together these three themes. Remember that themes are there to get a message across to the audience, so as you look for evidence of each of the three things you mentioned above, consider how each relate to the message (or messages) Steinbeck is trying to get across about how the world works. 

Remember, when you start writing a paper with a thesis, it is only a "working thesis." That means it can and probably will change a little bit (or even a lot!) as you find evidence and write your analysis of that evidence. Don't be afraid to go back and adjust your thesis, or change it entirely as you write the essay!