To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Analysis Essay Finding your topic…

Clarification on Due Dates… Due Monday, November 28th Intro Paragraph Map Page Body Paragraph #1 Due Tuesday, November 29th Body Paragraph #2 Due Wednesday, November 30th Body Paragraph #3 Due Thursday, December 1st Conclusion First Rough Draft due (TYPED) Friday, December 2nd Final draft due Friday, December 9th

Topics Three significant ways one character changes throughout the novel Three ways Tom Robinson is symbolized as a mockingbird Three ways Boo Radley is symbolized as a mockingbird Three different characters who influence Scout’s coming of age Three adjectives to describe Jem, Atticus, or Scout in order to analyze the character’s development throughout the book—Example: Atticus was my favorite character in the book because he was respectable, insightful, and memorable *Give reasons as to why he was these three things…

1-3-3 Web Topic Three Characters that influenced Scout’s coming of age Atticus Teaches her to not judge Teaches her about different views in the world Teaches her that there is something good in everyone Miss Maudie Teaches scout to speak like a lady Teaches Scout to be positive Teaches Scout to stay out of other peoples’ business Aunt Alexandra Teaches Scout how to act like a lady Teaches Scout to respect siblings Teaches Scout how to have manners

How to write your thesis! In your thesis, state what you are proving in your essay and list the three reasons how/why this is true. *Hint: Look at the order in which you numbered your reasons on the “1-3-3” web” and be sure to list your reasons in this order for your thesis. Remember: Your thesis is 1 complete sentence at the END of your introduction paragraph! Example: Three main characters that help Scout come of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch.

What do I need to complete for today? Once you have finished your 1-3-3 Web and have had me check it off, begin writing your thesis. Once you have written your thesis, write it on a half page of paper and hand it in before the end of the class. I will be giving you feedback on your thesis statements tomorrow. Finally, if you have ALL of the above completed, begin filling out the rest of your Intro Paragraph Map.

Revisiting the Thesis Statement Is my thesis 1 sentence long? Does it state my topic: Example: Three characters that influenced Scout’s coming of age are… Does it state your three main points: Example: Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Completed and put together looks like… Three characters that influenced Scout’s coming of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra.

Example Introduction Paragraph When a child is growing up, there are always people that help them to mature. There are family members, teachers, idols, and friends. In to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how racism, courage, family status, and friends clash together in the small southern town of Maycomb. This novel is told from a maturing girl’s perspective named Scout. In Maycomb, times are challenging dealing with racism and the depression which Scout experiences first hand. There are many characters that help Scout realize things about the world. The three main characters that help Scout to come of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch.

Parts of the Introduction Topic Sentence/Attention Grabber: When a child is growing up, there are always people that help them to mature. There are family members, teachers, idols, and friends. Brief Story/Summary In to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how racism, courage, family status, and friends clash together in the small southern town of Maycomb. This novel is told from a maturing girl’s perspective named Scout. Transition Sentences In Maycomb, times are challenging dealing with racism and the depression which Scout experiences first hand. There are many characters that help Scout realize things about the world. Thesis Statement The three main characters that help Scout to come of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch.

Beginning your Body Paragraph #1 The Topic Sentence Revisit your 1-3-3 web to figure out which reason you should put as your body paragraph #1 topic sentence. Topic Sentence Example The First person who helps Scout’s coming of age is Miss Maudie Atkinson. The use of transitional words Be sure to use words like “The first, To begin with, The primary, The number one, The most important, etc. Once you have completed your topic sentence, turn to a partner to share what you have written.

Supporting Detail/Body Sentences #1 Context Sentence: Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the story and who is the speaker of the quote. Example: Miss Maudie is very mature and has exceptional grammar. State the quote: Example: Scout thinks, “Her speech was crisp for a Maycomb county habitant” (57). Significance of the Quote: Explain HOW the quote SHOWS or PROVES the main idea of the paragraph. Example: Since Miss Maudie is like Scout’s mom, by example Miss Maudie shows Scout how to speak like a lady. Scout used to speak immaturely, but now she speaks maturely.

Body Paragraph #1 Continued… Continue the same method for Supporting detail/Body Sentences #2 and #3. Then, work on the Clincher Sentence which comes at the end of the paragraph. Be sure this wraps up what you were just talking about. Example: Miss Maudie is like the mother Scout never had. What’s due for Monday, November 28th? Introduction Paragraph Map Body Paragraph Map for Body Paragraph #1

Body Paragraph #2 Example In order to begin working on your body paragraph #2 check out your thesis. Ask yourself, “Which topic/example comes next?” Once you’ve located your second person/point/etc., begin thinking of your topic sentence. Example: The second character that had a big influence on Scout was Atticus.

Supporting Detail/Body Sentences #2 Context Sentence: Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the story and who is the speaker of the quote. Example: Atticus has the biggest influence on Scout. During the Tom Robinson case, Atticus gave Scout a trick to tell if the witness was telling the truth or lying. State the quote: He said, “that one way to tell if the person is lying or telling the truth is to listen instead of watch” (257). Significance of the Quote: Explain HOW the quote SHOWS or PROVES the main idea of the paragraph. Example: This quote is significant because he teaches Scout how to a good listener in various situations.

What’s due for tomorrow? Due Tuesday: Body Paragraph #2 pages— Be sure to complete all supporting detail sections.

Beginning the Body Paragraph #3 What should you do first? Before beginning paragraph #3? Check your thesis!!! See what your last main point is. Then, create the topic sentence. Example: Last but not least, Boo really influenced Scout.

Supporting Detail Body Sentences #3 Context Sentence: Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the story and who is the speaker of the quote. Example: When Ms. Maudie’s house was burning down Atticus said… State the quote: “…Boo Radley. You were too busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you” (96). Significance of the Quote: Explain HOW the quote SHOWS or PROVES the main idea of the paragraph. Example: This was significant because Boo ended up being Scouts guardian. There are a few instances like this where Boo protected Scout from various things.

What’s due for tomorrow? Body Paragraph 3 pages— Be sure to complete all supporting detail pages.

Finally… The Conclusion! Three basics to include… Thesis Restatement Thesis Points Summary Clincher Sentence If you include all of these things, you will have a FABULOUS conclusion! 

Thesis Restatement In this first sentence of your conclusion, you are to restate your thesis statement from your intro paragraph using DIFFERENT WORDS. Example Thesis Statement: Three character that help Scout to come of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch. Example Thesis RESTATEMENT: To conclude, Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch are the three people who help Scout to grow and change throughout the novel.

Thesis Points Summary This is where you should SUMMARIZE (not regurgitate) your three thesis points in two or three sentences. Example: Atticus helped Scout to come of age by teaching her lessons about people. Miss Maudie is like the mother Scout never had, by teaching her to speak clearly and to be positive. Aunt Alexandra influenced Scout’s lady-like mannerisms.

Clincher Sentence This is the LAST sentence of your essay. Make a statement that SHOWS the importance of the subject of your essay. Example: There should always be people like Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra to guide young people through their lives.

Due Thursday Complete your Conclusion Paragraph If you finish this early, turn to a partner and switch Lit analysis packets. Make comments about what is good and what they should clarify or change.