Note that student work varies significantly from one assignment to the next, even within
the same mark range. The intent of providing samples such as this one is to guide
students in recognizing key criteria of assignments and in assessing their own work.
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION – SATISFACTORY
Essay question: Examine the causes and effects of prejudicial attitudes and beliefs in the
novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.
************************************************************************
Strengths:
• Prejudice is the focus throughout the paragraph (application).
• Basic structure of an introductory paragraph is present (application).
• Sentences are clear and grammatically correct (communication).
Tips for improvement:
• The thesis is factual, simply restating the obvious. Build in a stronger opinion
(thinking).
• Causes and effects of prejudice need to be mentioned when outlining arguments.
Which values underpin the attitudes and behaviours of Maycomb’s citizens, and
where does this lead? (application)
• A capture technique is necessary. Pull your reader in! (application)
• More general discussion is needed before mentioning the novel and author
(application).
• Use transition words when moving from outlining one argument to the next
(communication).
************************************************************************
There are different kinds of prejudice. Prejudice is judging someone without
really knowing who the person is. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee,
prejudice is clearly present. Throughout the novel, one notices three different kinds of
injustice: gender prejudice, racial prejudice and social class prejudice. A number of
characters show prejudice towards women. Maycomb's white citizens were prejudiced
against blacks because they used the blacks as handy scapegoats and servants to the white
people. Alexandra Finch prejudged others based on their social class. Therefore, many of
Maycomb’s citizens are prejudiced.