1. SpringBoard 5.22 To Kill a Mockingbird
Analyzing Atticus’s Closing Argument
Strategy: S.M.E.L.L.

2. Directions
As a group:
you will complete a close-reading of Atticus’s closing argument focusing on one aspect of persuasion
you will record your insights and findings on chart paper to share with your classmates
you will compose an analytical statement the represents your group’s focus and the effect of the persuasive tactic

3. Group #1 Your group will analyze the Sender-Receiver Relationship:
Identify the sender (speaker)
Identify the receiver (audience)
Identify the subject
What is the relationship between the speaker and the receiver?
Whom does the speaker mean to influence with the closing argument?
What attitudes and assumptions does the audience hold towards the subject? Towards the speaker?

4. Group #2 Your group will analyze the Message:
What is the speaker’s/sender’s message? Summarize the main points of the closing argument by outlining the entire closing argument with main points and sub points
EX:
Main Point
Sub Point #1
Sub Point #2
Sub Point #3

5. Group #3 Your group will analyze the Emotional Language:
Does the speaker/sender use any statements that are meant to get an emotional reaction from the audience/receiver?
What is the desired effect?
You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

6. Group #4 Your group will analyze the Logical Strategies:
Does the speaker/sender use any statements or appeals that are logical?
How does the logic (or its absence) affect the message?
You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

7. Group #5 Your group will analyze Language:
Look for specific words and short phrases used the by the speaker/sender, and consider how the language (diction) affects the message?
You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

8. Group #6 Your group will analyze the Elements of an Argument:
Identify the hook – sentence or phrase that grabs the receiver’s attention and establishes a connection between the sender and receiver
Identify the claim – a clear and straightforward statement of the sender’s belief and what is being argued
Identify concessions and refutations – restatements of arguments made by the other side and the speaker’s points opposing those viewpoints
Identify support – reasons behind the argument
Identify the summary/call to action – closing statement with a final plea for action

9. Group #7
Your group will analyze the cinematic interpretation of Atticus’s speech:
Watch Atticus’s closing argument on the laptop (1:31:39 – 1:38:57), following along in your book.
Record the following:
What images does the director present to the audience in this scene?
What images does the director consciously choose NOT to present to the audience?
What did you notice about the relationship between the speech and the images?
What changes or deletions did you notice in Atticus’ s speech?
How do the director’s choices and changes to the text of the speech affect the overall message?

10. Group #8
Your group will analyze how Atticus’s argument relates to one or more of the themes in the novel:
Based on Atticus’s closing argument, what is Harper Lee trying to communicate to the reader about justice and equality?
What other lessons can the reader take the incident of the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird? (come up with at least 3 others)