Summative Writing Assessment – TKM
Cigar Box of Memories
In the opening credit for the film version of TKM, Scout in voice over states:
“Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies and our lives..” – Harper Lee
Using the quote from TKM and the montage of images from the film’s opening scene create your own written “cigar-box” of memories.
STEP 1: Imagine a box. Select four (4) items from your childhood . If you still have those items in your possession pull them out and set them out in front of you; if you don’t possess the object that is ok too.
STEP 2: Let the writing SHOW the object – another words write descriptively – pulling in as many senses as you can. This should be a thoughtful, thought provoking personal essay on the power of memory. Think back on your childhood and think about what the object REALLY meant to you – was it an object of power, of safety/security, a tool that took you to a creative space. Or was it more like Jem/Scout’s connection to the items in the cigar box – a relationship between items and the person who gave it to them.
STEP 3: All essays are to open with a vivid, strong opening paragraph. All essays should have a conclusion. ALL ESSAYS SHOULD BE 6 paragraphs long – and approx. 2 full single spaced typed pages roughly
STEP 4: CONCLUSION IDEAS – let this section of the essay be your commentary of who you are now – v. the child who once (and still does cherish the objects in the cigar box). In essence how do the objects define who you are at this moment in time.