1. + To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Revising Your Essay

2. + Introduction Attention-getter: Read the first sentence of your introduction. Does it pull the reader in? Is it interesting? Does it relate to the topic of your essay? Introduce Novel: Read your 2 nd and 3 rd sentence of your introduction. Underline this portion of your introduction. Do they introduce the novel and author? Do they present the topic you have chosen for your essay (Scout developing courage/Atticus as a moral hero)

3. + Introduction Thesis Statement: Highlight the last sentence of your introduction. Does it present the specific topic of your essay? Does it follow the magic thesis formula? By looking at ________________________, one can see that ______________________; this is important because ________________________.

4. + Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero in the BEGINNING of the novel. Examples: [Bracket] your example from the beginning of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 1. Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

5. + Body Paragraph 1 Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? For example: Topic: Atticus is a moral hero. Bad Explanation: Atticus tells Scout to see the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, so she learns a lesson. Better Explanation: Atticus’ advice to Scout proves that he is a moral hero because he is able to empathize with other people. This is important because he passes this lesson onto his children.

6. + Body Paragraph 1 Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the beginning of the novel?

7. + Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero in the MIDDLE of the novel. Examples: [Bracket] your example from the middle of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 2. Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

8. + Body Paragraph 2 Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the middle of the novel?

9. + Body Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero at the END of the novel. Examples: [Bracket] your example from the end of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 3. Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

10. + Body Paragraph 3 Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the end of the novel?

11. + Conclusion Highlight the first sentence of your conclusion. Does it re-phrase (NOT COPY AND PASTED) your thesis statement? Does it summarize the main points of your essay? Underline the last sentence in your conclusion. Is it thought provoking? Does it leave the reader thinking about the general topic?