To Kill a Mockingbird
Literary Analysis Essay
Finding your topic…
Clarification on Due Dates…
• Due Monday, November 28th
– Intro Paragraph Map Page
– Body Paragraph #1
• Due Tuesday, November 29th
– Body Paragraph #2
• Due Wednesday, November 30th
– Body Paragraph #3
• Due Thursday, December 1st
– Conclusion
• First Rough Draft due (TYPED)
– Friday, December 2nd
• Final draft due
– Friday, December 9th
Topics
• Three significant ways one character changes
throughout the novel
• Three ways Tom Robinson is symbolized as a
mockingbird
• Three ways Boo Radley is symbolized as a mockingbird
• Three different characters who influence Scout’s
coming of age
• Three adjectives to describe Jem, Atticus, or Scout in
order to analyze the character’s development
throughout the book—Example: Atticus was my
favorite character in the book because he was
respectable, insightful, and memorable *Give reasons
as to why he was these three things…
1-3-3 Web
Atticus
Teaches her to not
judge
Teaches her about
different views in
the world
Teaches scout to
speak like a lady
Topic
Three Characters that
influenced Scout’s coming
of age
Teaches her that
there is something
good in everyone
Miss Maudie
Teaches Scout to
be positive
Teaches Scout to
stay out of other
peoples’ business
Teaches Scout how
to act like a lady
Teaches Scout to
respect siblings
Aunt Alexandra
Teaches Scout how
to have manners
How to write your thesis!
• In your thesis, state what you are proving in your essay and list the three
reasons how/why this is true.
• *Hint: Look at the order in which you numbered your reasons on the “1-33” web” and be sure to list your reasons in this order for your thesis.
• Remember: Your thesis is 1 complete sentence at the END of your
introduction paragraph!
• Example: Three main characters that help Scout come of age are Atticus
Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch.
What do I need to complete for today?
• Once you have finished your 1-3-3 Web and have had me check it off, begin
writing your thesis.
•
• Once you have written your thesis, write it on a half page of paper and hand
it in before the end of the class. I will be giving you feedback on your thesis
statements tomorrow.
• Finally, if you have ALL of the above completed, begin filling out the rest of
your Intro Paragraph Map.
Revisiting the Thesis Statement
• Is my thesis 1 sentence long?
• Does it state my topic:
– Example: Three characters that influenced Scout’s coming
of age are…
• Does it state your three main points:
– Example: Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt
Alexandra
• Completed and put together looks like…
– Three characters that influenced Scout’s coming of age are
Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra.
Example Introduction Paragraph
• When a child is growing up, there are always people
that help them to mature. There are family members,
teachers, idols, and friends. In to Kill a Mockingbird,
Harper Lee shows how racism, courage, family status,
and friends clash together in the small southern town
of Maycomb. This novel is told from a maturing girl’s
perspective named Scout. In Maycomb, times are
challenging dealing with racism and the depression
which Scout experiences first hand. There are many
characters that help Scout realize things about the
world. The three main characters that help Scout to
come of age are Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson,
and Aunt Alexandra Finch.
Parts of the Introduction
• Topic Sentence/Attention Grabber:
– When a child is growing up, there are always people that help
them to mature. There are family members, teachers, idols, and
friends.
• Brief Story/Summary
– In to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how racism, courage,
family status, and friends clash together in the small southern
town of Maycomb. This novel is told from a maturing girl’s
perspective named Scout.
• Transition Sentences
– In Maycomb, times are challenging dealing with racism and the
depression which Scout experiences first hand. There are many
characters that help Scout realize things about the world.
• Thesis Statement
– The three main characters that help Scout to come of age are
Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt Alexandra Finch.
Beginning your Body Paragraph #1
• The Topic Sentence
– Revisit your 1-3-3 web to figure out which reason you
should put as your body paragraph #1 topic sentence.
• Topic Sentence Example
– The First person who helps Scout’s coming of age is Miss
Maudie Atkinson.
• The use of transitional words
– Be sure to use words like “The first, To begin with, The
primary, The number one, The most important, etc.
• Once you have completed your topic sentence, turn
to a partner to share what you have written.
Supporting Detail/Body Sentences #1
• Context Sentence:
– Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the
story and who is the speaker of the quote.
• Example: Miss Maudie is very mature and has exceptional
grammar.
• State the quote:
• Example: Scout thinks, “Her speech was crisp for a Maycomb
county habitant” (57).
• Significance of the Quote:
– Explain HOW the quote SHOWS or PROVES the main idea
of the paragraph.
• Example: Since Miss Maudie is like Scout’s mom, by example Miss
Maudie shows Scout how to speak like a lady. Scout used to speak
immaturely, but now she speaks maturely.
Body Paragraph #1 Continued…
• Continue the same method for Supporting
detail/Body Sentences #2 and #3.
• Then, work on the Clincher Sentence which comes at
the end of the paragraph.
– Be sure this wraps up what you were just talking about.
• Example: Miss Maudie is like the mother Scout never had.
• What’s due for Monday, November 28th?
– Introduction Paragraph Map
– Body Paragraph Map for Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2 Example
• In order to begin working on your body
paragraph #2 check out your thesis.
• Ask yourself, “Which topic/example comes
next?”
• Once you’ve located your second
person/point/etc., begin thinking of your topic
sentence.
• Example: The second character that had a big
influence on Scout was Atticus.
Supporting Detail/Body Sentences #2
• Context Sentence:
– Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the
story and who is the speaker of the quote.
• Example: Atticus has the biggest influence on Scout. During the
Tom Robinson case, Atticus gave Scout a trick to tell if the witness
was telling the truth or lying.
– State the quote:
• He said, “that one way to tell if the person is lying or telling the
truth is to listen instead of watch” (257).
– Significance of the Quote: Explain HOW the quote SHOWS
or PROVES the main idea of the paragraph.
• Example: This quote is significant because he teaches Scout how
to a good listener in various situations.
What’s due for tomorrow?
• Due Tuesday:
– Body Paragraph #2 pages—
– Be sure to complete all supporting detail sections.
Beginning the Body Paragraph #3
• What should you do first? Before beginning
paragraph #3?
– Check your thesis!!! See what your last main point
is.
• Then, create the topic sentence.
– Example:
• Last but not least, Boo really influenced Scout.
Supporting Detail Body Sentences #3
• Context Sentence:
– Explain where/when the quote/example occurs in the
story and who is the speaker of the quote.
• Example: When Ms. Maudie’s house was burning down Atticus
said…
– State the quote:
• “…Boo Radley. You were too busy looking at the fire you didn’t
know it when he put the blanket around you” (96).
– Significance of the Quote: Explain HOW the quote SHOWS
or PROVES the main idea of the paragraph.
• Example: This was significant because Boo ended up being Scouts
guardian. There are a few instances like this where Boo protected
Scout from various things.
What’s due for tomorrow?
• Body Paragraph 3 pages—
• Be sure to complete all supporting detail
pages.
Finally… The Conclusion!
• Three basics to include…
– Thesis Restatement
– Thesis Points Summary
– Clincher Sentence
• If you include all of these things, you will have
a FABULOUS conclusion! 
Thesis Restatement
• In this first sentence of your conclusion, you
are to restate your thesis statement from your
intro paragraph using DIFFERENT WORDS.
– Example Thesis Statement:
• Three character that help Scout to come of age are
Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and Aunt
Alexandra Finch.
– Example Thesis RESTATEMENT:
• To conclude, Atticus Finch, Miss Maudie Atkinson, and
Aunt Alexandra Finch are the three people who help
Scout to grow and change throughout the novel.
Thesis Points Summary
• This is where you should SUMMARIZE (not
regurgitate) your three thesis points in two or
three sentences.
• Example:
– Atticus helped Scout to come of age by teaching
her lessons about people. Miss Maudie is like the
mother Scout never had, by teaching her to speak
clearly and to be positive. Aunt Alexandra
influenced Scout’s lady-like mannerisms.
Clincher Sentence
• This is the LAST sentence of your essay. Make
a statement that SHOWS the importance of
the subject of your essay.
• Example:
– There should always be people like Atticus, Miss
Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra to guide young
people through their lives.
Due Thursday
• Complete your Conclusion Paragraph
• If you finish this early, turn to a partner and
switch Lit analysis packets. Make comments
about what is good and what they should
clarify or change.