to Write a
Mockingbird
(Essay)
Topic Sentence
Simply state what the body paragraph is about.
Atticus Finch is symbolized by the
mockingbird.
or
The mockingbird is a metaphor for
Atticus Finch.
or
One character symbolized by the
mockingbird is Atticus Finch.
The topic sentence does not state the reason why. Show
the specific way they are compared in the next sentence.
The character Scout is
symbolized by the mockingbird.
Where the mockingbird protects
its home from predators, Scout
protects her family’s name from
those wanting to destroy it.
You could incorporate the quality into your topic sentence
if you keep it simple. The next sentence is further
explanation.
Both the mockingbird and
Scout are very territorial. Where
the mockingbird protects its
home from predators, Scout
protects her family’s name from
those wanting to destroy it.
Make sure you have a “lead” into the quote.
In other words, what was going on in the story
when the quote occurred?
Francis, Scout’s cousin, taunted her
and called Atticus offensive names.
Scout fought back the only way she
knew how. “This time, I split my
knuckle …
• Do NOT use the word “because” in your
topic sentence.
rd
• 3 person only! (except the conclusion)
• Do NOT end a paragraph with a quote.
–Explain how the quote supports your topic
sentence.
Embed Quotes Correctly
• Double quotation marks go around
the entire piece taken from the text.
• Single quotation marks go around any
dialogue that takes place within the
piece.
• At the end of the piece, the page
number goes in parenthesis.
“This time, I split my knuckle
to the bone on his front teeth.
My left impaired, I sailed in
with my right, but not for
long. Uncle Jack pinned my
arms to my sides and said,
‘Stand still!’” (89)
Intro Paragraph
• Title & Author of book
• 1-3 sentence summary / setting
of novel
• What is symbolism?
Mockingbird as a Symbol
• Thesis Statement
a sentence expressing your
opinion about a particular topic.
It is the focus of your entire
paper.
For this essay, the thesis will end
your introduction paragraph.
A simple thesis statement…
A mockingbird is a symbol
for the characters Atticus
Finch, Tom Robinson, and
Boo Radley.
A more complex thesis statement…
The key symbol throughout the
novel is the mockingbird, and it is
through the mockingbird that the
author characterizes Atticus Finch,
Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley.
Conclusion
• Restate main ideas
–Summarize your thesis
• Make a personal connection to the
book
–Talk about the theme
–Personal understanding of the novel
–What you will take away from the
novel
• Can be in 1st person