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To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

+Introduction Attention-getter: Make sure the first

sentence of your introduction answers these questions: Does it pull the reader in? Is it interesting? Does it relate to the topic of your essay?

Introduce Novel: Your 2nd and 3rd sentence of your introduction need to introduce the novel. Make sure your introduction: Introduces the novel and author Presents the topic you have chosen for

your essay (Scout developing courage/Atticus as a moral hero)

+Attention Grabber Examples

Begin with a quote from TKAM “Atticus always said you never know what someone is

going through until you’ve been in their skin”

Begin with a quote from another source (make sure it’s relevant; you wouldn’t start a paper with song lyrics from Jay-Z if you were going to talk about Scout developing courage) Song, famous person, another book, poem, etc.

+Introduction

Thesis Statement: The last sentence of your introduction. When writing your thesis, ask yourself these questions: 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 ________________________.

+Example Thesis Statement

Using the magic formula:

By looking at Atticus Finch’s character, one can see that throughout the novel he exudes traits of a moral hero; this is important because he is the voice of reason for society and his children in a time of social turmoil and racial intolerance.

Throughout the novel Scout Finch brings to light the coming of age every child must go through; this is important because as she struggles with holding onto her childhood innocence she is forced to develop courage and face the reality of adulthood.

+Introduction Paragraph Example

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the reoccurring presence of prejudice collides with Atticus Finch who is the only man strong enough in Macomb to stand up and fight for justice. The author, Harper Lee, chooses to depict a modern day hero to take a stand against prejudice through the character of

Atticus. By looking at Atticus Finch’s character, one can see that throughout the novel he exudes traits of being a moral hero; this is important because he is the voice of reason for society and his children in a time of social turmoil and racial intolerance.

Red=Thesis

+Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence:

Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph?

How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero in the BEGINNING of the novel.

Examples: Give your first example from the beginning of the novel (including the quote) and explanation/how it is relevant to your position.

Transition Words: First, in the beginning, As one begins to examine, etc.

+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.

+Body Paragraph 1

Concluding sentence: 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?

In the beginning of the novel, Scout

+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.

+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?

+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.

+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?

+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?