1. TKAM Outline Format Likeable/Unlikable Character

2. Step One: Choose a character Hints:  Choose someone whom you could most easily persuade someone else into liking or not liking!  Pick a character whom you feel you know and understand VERY WELL!

3. Step Two: Describe why you feel the character is likeable or unlikable. List specific REASONS for the character’s likeability or un-likeability. Come up with at least 5 or 6 reasons (examples from the book).  Examples of REASONS: The character treats others respectfully The character thinks before acting  Examples of things that are too vague (not reasons): He is “nice” She is “smart”

4. Step Three: Narrow down your reasons to three. You will write an entire paragraph about EACH of the three reasons you choose! Be sure you select your reasons carefully. Example of an original list from Step 2--Calpurnia is likeable because:  She stands her ground  She shows courage  She cares about the children’s well-being  She is not judgmental- she is open minded and kind  She is hard-working and responsible My reasons narrowed down to THREE (I feel I could write a paragraph explaining each of these traits):  COURAGE  RESPONSIBLE CAREGIVER  OPEN MINDED

5. Step Four: Thesis Here you will write ONE SENTENCE that does 2 things: 1.The sentence provides your stance about the character’s likeability. 2.The sentence gives the 3 brief reasons for your position. EXAMPLE THESIS: “Calpurnia is an easily likable character due to her courage, responsibility, and open-mindedness.”

6. Step Four Continued… The thesis needs to be written as an authoritative statement  Use words such as… Is Should Must  Avoid words such as… Maybe Could Might The thesis cannot include the following words:  You  Your  Yours  I  Me  Myself  We  Us

7. Step Five: Topic Sentences The purpose of each of these 3 sentences is to provide a summary for the paragraph that will eventually follow. The topic sentence provides a claim that is directly related to your thesis statement. Look back at step three. You will write one topic sentence for each of the three reasons you identified.  Reasons from the example of Calpurnia included “courage,” “responsible caregiver,” and “open-minded.”  An example topic sentence: “Calpurnia illustrates the meaning of courage several times throughout the novel.” The above topic sentence summarizes what I will eventually write about in this paragraph AND it is directly related to the thesis.

8. Step Five Continued… Hints for successful topic sentences:  Be clear and concise (to the point).  Avoid the same words that you were asked to avoid in the thesis (you, your, I, me, myself, we, us, could, might, maybe)  Do not be overly specific because you will eventually elaborate with examples within the paragraph.

9. Step Six: Rewrite your thesis  Example thesis: “Calpurnia is an easily likable character due to her courage, responsibility, and open-mindedness.”  Example restatement of thesis: “One can readily argue many reasons for Calpurnia’s likeability as a character in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.” Communicate the same idea that is presented in your original thesis, but use different wording. Omit your reasons in the restatement!

10. CONGRATULATIONS! You now have the basic elements for a persuasive essay! Turn your paper over and transfer the information into a neatly organized outline.