To Kill a Mockingbird Essay
Outline and Examples
Intro Paragraph
• Attention Grabber-Define what a hero is to you
and why
• Background info-The title of the book and the
Author
• Lead into thesis, mention that Lee discusses
several themes in the story and the characters
and their actions represent those themes
• Thesis-The three characters who represent the
theme or heroism in the story.
Body Paragraphs (10 sentences
Long!)
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Topic Sentence
A reason why one character is a hero
Example from the story (Quote)
Two sentences explaining the quote
Another reason why this character is a hero
Example from the story (quote)
Two sentences explaining the quote
Concluding sentence
Example of a Body Paragraph
• Atticus Finch is definitely one character who should be considered a
hero. One reason is that he chooses to be respectful to all people.
For instance he hears one of his children using disgraceful
language, he responds “don’t use that word Scout”(124). By
disciplining his daughter he is respecting all people because she
used the “n” word, which is hurtful towards people of AfricanAmerican decent. He is also instilling honorable manners in a future
generation by immediately correcting a wrong doing, even if it is said
in innocence. Another reason why he should be considered a hero
is because he stands up for those who are less fortunate than he is.
He willingly defends Tom Robinson an African-American man
wrongfully accused of raping a white women. Mr. Finch does this
knowing that he will be looked down upon by some people in the
town. Yet, he does not seem to care, he would rather do the right
thing then save his reputation. Even though Atticus’s actions in To
Kill a Mockingbird are extremely heroic, he is not the only character
in the novel who exemplifies heroism.
Conclusion
• Re-state thesis is different words
• Three to four sentences to wrap up your
essay, some final insight on heros.
Discuss whether there are people in your
life who are similar to the characters you
discussed in the story.