To Kill a Mockingbird Analytical Essay Students will choose one character from To Kill a Mockingbird and connect him/her to Atticus’ definition of courage. Students will analyze how this character exemplifies Atticus’ definition and provide textual evidence to support their analysis. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” Atticus Finch, pg. 149

Step 1 – Select Reasons/Examples Select ONE character who you think is the best example of Atticus’ definition of courage. Use your chapter questions and brainstorming to select the three strongest reasons/examples of why/how that character is an example of Atticus’ definition of courage. These three reasons/examples will be the topics of your body paragraphs.

Step 2 – Write Thesis Statement Use the three reasons and/or examples you selected to write your thesis statement This is a working thesis statement, so you can always go back and adjust it if needed. Your thesis statement is your opinion; it is not a fact. The thesis is what you will spend the rest of your essay trying to prove.

Step 3 – Find Textual Support Your job as the writer of an analytical essay is to convince the reader that your opinion is correct. You must prove that your thesis statement is true based on evidence from the text. You should quote passages from the text to prove your point; just remember that you must explain the text’s significance, explain how it relates to your thesis. Use your chapter questions to help you prove your topic sentences.

Step 4 – Conclusion Paragraph Your conclusion paragraph should be 2-3 sentences and should summarize your main points. Restate your thesis statement in a new way.

Step 5 – Type/Write It Up! Your essay is to be typed and submitted to by the END of your class period on Thursday, October 28 th. If you do not have a netbook you will submit your handwritten essay to the tray at the END of your class period on Thursday, October 28 th.