English 9—To Kill a Mockingbird
TKAM Focus Points for Annotating—Chapters 17-20
Annotation skills we are developing:
KEY DETAILS: note important events, information about characters, patterns, possible symbols, developing themes
VOCAB IN CONTEXT: circle words you do not know and use context clues to make a quick guess in the margin
GIST: read a passage and make a brief note of what it was basically about; this helps with passages you skim/scan
INFERENCES: read between the lines; note what you’ve learned, or your answer to the question, So what?
QUESTIONING THE TEXT: write a question in response to what you read that pushes your thinking deeper
PREDICTIONS: pause and note a quick prediction of what will happen; be as specific as possible.
Chapters 17-20 cover all of Tom Robinson’s trial (except the verdict). It’s important that you understand what each witness says, and form a hypothesis about what happened to Mayella that night. Who’s telling the truth? How do you know?
Chapter 17: Reading purpose— Heck Tate and Bob Ewell
Always, as you read: VOCABIN CONTEXT—circle words you don’t know, use context clues, and note a guess
Areas of focus:
- Heck Tate’s version of the events
- Bob Ewell’s mannerisms
- Bob Ewell’s version of events
Go back through your annotations and identify three annotation skills (from the list above) that you used.
Write a summary of the chapter on its last page.
Chapter 18: Reading purpose—MayellaEwell
Always, as you read: VOCABIN CONTEXT—circle words you don’t know, use context clues, and note a guess
Areas of focus:
- MayellaEwell’s behaviors and mannerisms
- Descriptions about MayellaEwell’s appearance or actions
- MayellaEwell’s version of events
- MayellaEwell’s reaction to Atticus
Go back through your annotations and identify three annotation skills (from the list above) that you used.
Write a summary of the chapter on its last page.
Chapter 19: Reading purpose—Tom Robinson
Always, as you read: VOCABIN CONTEXT—circle words you don’t know, use context clues, and note a guess
Areas of focus:
- the way Tom speaks
- the way that Tom is spoken to
- Tom’s physical appearance and disability
Go back through your annotations and identify three annotation skills (from the list above) that you used.
Write a summary of the chapter on its last page.
SYNTHESIS QUESTION for Chapters 17, 18 and 19 (Answer at the top of 267): How do you think Judge Taylor handles this case? Is he fair? Why or why not?
Chapter 20: Reading purpose—Dolphus Raymond and Atticus’s Closing Remarks
Always, as you read: VOCABIN CONTEXT—circle words you don’t know, use context clues, and note a guess
Areas of focus:
- the drink in Dolphus Raymond’s brown paper bag
- Atticus’s speech – BE THOROUGH!
- How does Atticus say that Mayella put a man’s life at stake?
- What did Mayella do with the evidence of her offense?
- What was Bob’s reaction to her accusation?
- What “evil assumption” is Atticus talking about?
- If not all men are created equal, what DOES make all men equal?
Go back through your annotations and identify three annotation skills (from the list above) that you used.
Write a summary of the chapter on its last page.
MAKE A PREDICTION (write on page 275): Do you think the jury will find Tom guilty or not guilty? Why?