To Kill A Mockingbird:​
TRIAL LITERARY ANALYSIS Essa​
y
Content Objectives:
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Write strong claims (thesis statement and paragraph-level claims, also known as main ideas).
Develop your ideas well with plenty of relevant evidence and explanation.
Organize your essay well using the provided structure.
Language Objectives​
:
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Craft a thesis statement and three claims that each display these features:
o
makes a clear, specific claim you could argue and defend with evidence
o
does not begin with yes, no, I think, I believe, in my opinion…
o
names important concepts and characters
Label quotes with the speaker and the context.
Quote accurately using correct punctuation and page citation.
Use clear transition language throughout the essay to help it flow.
Write in a formal style and objective tone, using third person (avoid “I” and “you”) and writing in complete sentences (avoiding fragments and
run-ons).
The Assignment:
Imagine that you are a member of the jury. You need to decide whether Tom Robinson was guilty or
not guilty, and then convince the rest of the jury to agree with you and vote the same way.
The Basics:
Analyzing the development of the themes in ​
To Kill A Mockingbird​
, you will write a well-developed essay
with three distinct parts: an introduction with thesis, a minimum of two body paragraphs (your evidence
and explanation), and a conclusion.
Form:
* Minimum of ​
4 paragraph ​
essay → introduction, 2 body paragraphs, conclusion
This will be your requirement unless otherwise determined by your teacher.
* Minimum of ​
2 quotes per body paragraph​
, blended smoothly with a LINK explaining
how they connect to your main idea, and ultimately your thesis.
* ​
Typed, double spaced
All papers MUST be submitted to Turnitin.com.
The question your thesis statement will answer is:
Is Tom Robinson, the defendant, guilty or not guilty of the crime of the rape of
Mayella Ewell?
*****Make sure you have made your own copy of this form*****
File - - - > Make a Copy - - - -> title it your name and theme
STEP 1​
:
Answer the question as a formal thesis statement. Include all the important parts of the question in your
one-sentence answer.
Thesis Statement Formula:
WYB - IB + 2R
What you believe - “I believe” + three reasons
Sample
Thesis
Statement
Plan
What you believe
minus “I believe”
two
examples/reasons
I believe that justice is unable to
occur when people are afraid.
Justice is unable to occur when
people are afraid.
Mr. Cunningham’s actions.
Mayella Ewell’s actions
Your Thesis
Statement
Plan
Add a transitional phrase to connect the “WYB - IB” to the “3R”:
❏ such as
❏ through
❏ as seen through
❏ because
❏ for example
❏ particularly
❏ for instance
Put it all together to make one solid thesis statement
Sample
Thesis
Your Thesis
Justice is unable to occur when people are afraid as seen through the actions of Mr. Cunningham
and Mayella Ewell.
STEP 2:​
Craft the main ideas for your two body paragraphs. Make sure your main ideas support / prove
your thesis statement.
***HINT: Your two examples reasons from your thesis are what your main ideas
should
be about!
⬇
Sample
Thesis
Statement
Plan
What you believe
minus “I believe”
two
examples/reasons
I believe that justice is unable to
occur when people are afraid.
Justice is unable to occur when
people are afraid.
Mr. Cunningham’s actions.
Mayella Ewell’s actions
Your Thesis
Statement
Plan
Example Main Idea: Tom Robinson is not physically capable of committing the crime he is
accused of.
The following information is a space to develop your actual main idea claims/topic
sentences. You will eventually copy and paste these sentences into your actual essay.
Main Idea CLAIM #1:
Main Idea CLAIM #2:
Main Idea CLAIM #3 (optional):
The next is a space to organize examples and
evidence that will back up your main idea claims. You
will reuse this information in your actual essay!
STEP 3​
:​
Find 2 examples (QUOTES) per main idea that you will use to support your argument from your
prepared notecards / iBook notes.
Main Idea 1
Two Quotes:
You MUST
include SPEAKER
and PAGE
NUMBER
Speaker:
Page Number:
Quote: “
Speaker:
Page Number:
Quote: “
Main Idea 2
Two Quotes:
You MUST
include SPEAKER
and PAGE
NUMBER
Speaker:
Page Number:
Quote: “
Speaker:
Page Number:
Quote: “
Main Idea 3
Two Quotes:
(OPTIONAL)
Speaker:
You MUST
include SPEAKER
/ SOURCE and
PAGE NUMBER
Quote: “
Speaker:
Page Number:
Page Number:
Quote: “
Now you are ready to start writing your 2 MELCon body paragraphs! Use your main idea statements and
evidence to help you get started!