To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a
Mockingbird
MS NITSCHE
Introduction
Start with TART
(Title, Author, Refer to Task)
You should also give a BRIEF outline of the story.
Now, write your own introduction.
YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES
Example
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee explores the prejudice surrounding a small
Southern community in the 1930s. Lee’s use of imagery, juxtaposition and exploration of morality highlights the racial tensions present in the USA at this time, and emphasises the part prejudice plays in everyday human nature.
Point
The Point is simply what each paragraph is about- you make a main point in every paragraph you write. This is usually the
TOPIC SENTENCE you use.
Do not signpost your paragraph e.g. do not say “I am going to talk about”
What is a TOPIC SENTENCE?
This is basically a sentence that introduces what the paragraph is going to be about.
You should mention WHAT you are going to discuss in the paragraph, and refer back to the question.
REMEMBER YOUR KEY WORDS AND ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE!
Topic Sentences
All TOPIC SENTENCES should make some reference to the essay question.
A good way to do this is through the KEY WORDS we extract from the essay question.
Example Topic Sentences
In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Lee emphasises the social prejudices of
Maycomb through Scout’s own experiences of different classes in the playground.
Lee goes on to explore the racial tensions in the town, highlighting the inferiority of status the black community has.
Through Scout and Jem’s games and stories of Boo Radley’s true nature, we see how even those who do not engage with society are judged in such a small community.
Referencing the question
A reader should be able to guess what the essay question is simply by looking at your essay.
It is VITAL that you ensure you refer to the question throughout – this is the only way you will be sure that you have actually answered the question!
Evidence
The evidence is the quotation or description of the scene, shot or technique you are using to back up your point.
It is important that you pick evidence that you can explain and evaluate FULLY.
Never just drop evidence in – always introduce them within the
CONTEXT of the story, i.e. what is happening at this point in the story or film, what characters are involved and who they are, etc.
EXAMPLE
TOPIC SENTENCE: Lee goes on to explore the racial tensions in the town, highlighting the inferiority of status the black community has.
EVIDENCE: At Tom’s trial, he makes the mistake of admitting feeling empathy for Mayella Ewell.
“ ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’
Evaluation (Analysis)
This is the chance for you to explain how the quotation backs up the point you are making
You need to make sure that you fully explain the quotation or shot/scene/technique.
You then need to evaluate it - give your opinion on how successful it is.
Your opinion should be implicit - do not write “I think”.
3 Steps for Analysing Quotations
1. Break the sentence down – look at the meaning and connotations of individual words, techniques and phrases, as well as the whole sentence e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs promptly tore their throats out”
“Promptly” is quite a ‘proper’ word, which contrasts sharply with the messy manner of the executions, and says that they were immediate and without mercy.
“Tore their throats out” is an incredibly graphic use of
IMAGERY, showing the brutality of their deaths, and “tore” emphasises the violence of the execution.
3 Steps for Analysing Quotations
2. Think about what the whole sentence suggests e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs promptly tore their throats out”
The sentence shows that there is no delay in doling out
‘justice’ to the pigs, and gives a sense of a lack of justice in their fates.
3 Steps for Analysing Quotations
3. Comment on the context of the quotation e.g. “When they had finished their confessions the dogs promptly tore their throats out”
The violence and swiftness of the executions highlights the extent that
Napoleon is willing to go to to maintain power – he has turned on his own kind, and is now using fear and violence as a means of controlling the animals.
EXAMPLE
TOPIC SENTENCE: Lee goes on to explore the racial tensions in the town, highlighting the inferiority of status the black community has.
EVIDENCE: At Tom’s trial, he makes the mistake of admitting feeling empathy for Mayella Ewell.
“ ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’
EVALUATION: The repetition of sorry, as well as the tone of incredulity in Mr Gilmer’s voice, emphasises the belief that -despite Mayella’s horrific home life – a “nigger” has no place feeling empathy for someone of a higher social standing, i.e. someone white. Here, Lee successfully implies that Tom has in a sense signed his own death warrant; by engaging with Mayella, and feeling “sorry” for her, he has inadvertently placed himself above her in terms of social status, and will now be seen as arrogant and not knowing of his ‘true place’ in Maycomb’s society.
Putting P E E Together
Point/ Topic Sentence.
Evidence – description of scene and technique.
Evaluation/Analysis.
And that’s ONE paragraph.
Which should look like this…
Lee goes on to explore the racial tensions in the town, highlighting the inferiority of status the black community has. At Tom’s trial, he makes the mistake of admitting feeling empathy for Mayella Ewell.
“ ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’
The repetition of ‘sorry’, as well as the tone of incredulity in Mr
Gilmer’s voice through the emphasis on ‘you’ highlights the belief that -despite Mayella’s horrific home life – a “nigger” has no place feeling empathy for someone of a higher social standing, i.e. someone white. Here, Lee successfully implies that Tom has in a sense signed his own death warrant; by engaging with Mayella, and feeling “sorry” for her, he has inadvertently placed himself above her in terms of social status, and will now be seen as arrogant and not knowing of his ‘true place’ in Maycomb’s society.
How do we write a conclusion?
An effective conclusion should:
Refer back to the questions.
Summarise your main points.
Comment on how effective the writer/director has been in their use of techniques.
Success Criteria
What makes a good essay?
Good analysis – detail, relevant to question
Good evidence – description of scene/shot/technique, relevant to question, able to analyse in depth.
Topic sentences
Technical accuracy – punctuation, spelling, paragraphs, phrasing, capitals.
Flows well – connectives/linking language, order of techniques/scenes.
Wide vocabulary
REFER TO QUESTION!
