1. Writing Great Essays Using Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird

2. Understanding the Question A basic question…. To Kill a Mockingbird is about prejudice and ignorance, but it is also about wisdom and compassion. Discuss. What is the novel being discussed and who is the author? What do these key terms mean? Why is the novel about these four things?

3. Understanding the Question A quote prompt… “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. ” Discuss the themes of tolerance and empathy in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. What is the novel being discussed and who is the author? Who is Atticus and what does he mean by this? What do these key terms mean? How and why is the novel about these two things?

4. Writing the introduction Restate the question Define the key terms State your arguments Link to first argument

5. Topic Sentences Make sure the topic sentences are reworded differently to what appears exactly in the introduction, to prevent repetition. The topic sentence should be able to stand alone and express your main point. In the intro; The idea of prejudice and ignorance is highlighted through the racism and mistreatment of Tom Robinson, the wronged man accused of rape and misconduct… As a new topic sentence; Through the character of Tom Robinson, and his unfortunate situation as a black man in the 30s, Lee highlights the presence of prejudice and ignorance in society.

6. Explanations Explain your topic sentence and idea. Define any key terms that need further explanation such as the term ‘prejudice’ or ‘survivor guilt’, what does it mean? You will need to use more than one sentence to explain your topic sentence fully. The topic sentence; Through the character of Tom Robinson, and his unfortunate situation as a black man in the 30s, Lee highlights the presence of prejudice and ignorance in society. Explanation; …Being wrongly accused of the rape of a young white woman, Mayella Ewell, Robinson stands innocent in front of a very prejudice society, a group of people quick to judge a black man and accept with little evidence that he is obviously to blame, as he is black. Atticus Finch stands as reason in the novel, as a character who sees the situation through clear eyes not clouded by ignorance, and highlights through his own compassion how prejudiced the society actually is towards Robinson.

7. Examples What evidence do you have to back up your topic sentence? What is your proof? How do your know that this main idea is valid? How can you convince others? This is where you include a quote directly from the text.

8. Links/Conclusions At the end of each paragraph finish off your point and then ‘hint’ at your next point. Begin with a word such as finally, certainly, surely, etc. For example: (concluding/linking sentence) Lee certainly address the issue of prejudice and tolerance and their presence in the 1930s society, while also exploring more positive concepts. (hint at the concept of wisdom being discussed in the next paragraph) (next paragraph) To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the strength of wisdom through a glum situation, as in Tom Robinson.

9. Writing the Conclusion Sum up your main arguments and reiterate contention. Almost rewrite the Introduction in different words. No need to say things like… ‘in this essay I have discussed…’ ‘as I said in the essay…’ ‘this essay proves…’ (Referring to one’s self in the essay is unprofessional!)

10. Conclusion Example: To Kill a Mockingbird discusses many things relevant to society today, discussing the themes of prejudice and ignorance, but also the strength of wisdom and compassion. The concept of prejudice and ignorance is explored through the fate of Tom Robinson, a man wrongly accused due to his colour, while through Atticus’ defence of him we see a demonstration of great wisdom and right judgement. Through his teachings his children learn and show great compassion towards an outcast of the town, Boo Radley. Thus while discussing the severity and unfavourableness of prejudice and ignorance in society, Harper Lee tells a beautiful story about the power of wisdom and compassion.

11. Editing After you have written your essay make sure you edit your writing to sound coherent and sophisticated. Original version… Atticus shows us how to teach children to be tolerant of black people. Edited version… Lee uses the main character, Atticus Finch, to demonstrate to power of compassion for the minority groups, such as the coloured community of Maycomb, and how to educate children to be tolerant also.