To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Ms. ResslerName______

English 10GP

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

To complete the unit on To Kill a Mockingbird, you must write a five-paragraph essay on one of the options listed below. Choose ONE of the following prompts. All essays must be typed and double-spaced.

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topics:

  1. JUDGEMENT: Use the story of “The Gray Ghost” to show how Harper Lee develops the theme "you never really understand a man until you walk around in his shoes" (or “don’t judge a book by its cover”) throughout her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Be sure to give examples of characters who were judged unfairly: Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and the Gray Ghost. Does the novel effectively teach readers about respect, understanding, prejudice, hatred, and human interaction? Please support your opinions and interpretation with specific examples and direct quotations from the book.
  1. ATTICUS: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows the reader what honesty, modesty empathy and courage look like through the character of Atticus Finch. Choose three of these qualities explain the meaning of each, and use quotations and examples from the text to show how Atticus exemplifies each quality. finally consider which of these traits is most important in the story.

3.PARENTHOOD: What values do you think Atticus Finch tries to teach his children? Choose three values and support your choices with specific examples from the text. Finally, consider if Atticus teaches his children directly through discussions and advice or more indirectly by setting an example for Jem and Scout.

4.COURAGE: Consider Atticus’ definition of real courage, “[knowing] you’re licked before you start, but you begin anyways and you see it through no matter what.” Discuss 3 characters in TKM who you display real courage according to Atticus’ criteria.

Your essay will be worth 50 points. Use the rubric for specifics. Must be submitted to Turntin.com

Your 5 paragraph essay must be typed in Times New Roman 12-point font and double-spaced. The essay MUST include a minimum of 3 quotes from the novel, one quote in each body paragraph. Papers that do not meet the aforementioned qualifications will not be accepted and must be resubmitted the following day, and you will be penalized 10 points. Also, any late papers will face a 10-point daily deduction.

PLEASE AFFIX THE RUBRIC SHEET TO YOUR FINAL COPY OF THE ESSAY. Failure to do so will result in a 5-point deduction from your final grade on the essay.

QUOTATION USAGE

For this particular paper, you are going to be required to incorporate direct quotations/passages from the text. I would like 1 quotation per body paragraph. However, to accurately incorporate a quotation, you must do the following:

  1. Use quotation marks:
  2. Passages that not in quotations in the text, meaning they are the author or narrator’s words are document like this: “PASSAGE”
  3. Quotations that are dialog and appear in quotes in the book are document like this: “ ‘QUOTE’ “

A quote/passage that is longer than 4 lines is considered an extended quotation and is documented as follows: Space over each line 2 tabs and type the quote double-spaced, but without quotation marks. Also, punctuate to signal the end of the passage, then place page number in parenthesis.

  1. Lead into the quote:

Example: Stryver’s arrogance can be seen with the following words: “QUOTE”

Lucie’s genuine kindness is clear when she says, “QUOTE”

3. Include the page number in which the quote is found. Use the author the first time only. Follow this format:

Example: “How goes it Jacques ?” (Dickens 211).

“It was dark when Charles Darnay left him” (125).

4. Adequately and completely explain the quote that you use.

Example: “… a letter de cachet would have sent me to some fortress indefinitely” (111). With this line, Darnay illustrates his suspicion that the Marquis wishes to be rid of him.

Example: “…In your reception of it, don’t heed me any more, than if I was a speaking machine—truly, I am not much else” (19). When Jarvis Lorry speaks this line, he attempts to show no emotion, again reiterating the point that he considers himself to be a man of business.

*Here is a sample line that encompasses all of the characteristics that your quote needs to contain:

Stryver is a comical character, known for his arrogance and high opinion of himself when he describes himself as “ ‘ a man already pretty well off, and a rapidly rising man, and a man of some distinction: it is a piece of good fortune for her…’” (129). With this line, Stryver illustrates his belief that he would be a good “match” for any woman because his high social standing. Ironically, there is no one in the novel who shares this high opinion of himself.

English 10GPName ______

Ms. ResslerPeriod _____

To Kill a Mockingbird: Writing Assignment Rubric

_____ (10) FOCUS

  • A clearly stated central idea unites the essay
  • The writer stays on topic with no extraneous information
  • There is a clearly stated thesis sentence that anticipates the body paragraphs

_____ (15) CONTENT

  • The writer uses one direct quotation per body paragraph is used and introduced
  • The writer explains the importance of each quotation and relates the significance to the topic
  • The writer uses specific examples from the novel to illustrate his/her ideas
  • The utilized examples are factually accurate
  • All ideas are adequately explained

_____ (10) ORGANIZATION

  • Transitional devices are used to connect ideas
  • There is a lead-in statement
  • There is a conclusion that reiterates the points of the paper
  • Your ideas follow a logical order
  • The details within each paragraph related to that paragraph’s topic sentence and the end of each paragraph refers back to the central idea

_____ (10) STYLE

  • The writer uses sophisticated and varied sentence structures
  • The writer uses an elevated level of vocabulary
  • The writer avoids errors in sentence structures
  • No slang or awkward phrasing is utilized
  • No contractions are used
  • The paper is written in THIRD person only or a ZERO in this domain (no “I” or “you”)

_____ (5) CONVENTIONS

  • Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation is used
  • -1 for every 2 errors
  • Original title
  • MLA set-up of name, title, pages, quotes is correct

-5 if rubric is not attached; late papers lose 10 points daily.

_____ (50) TOTAL SCORE

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