To Kill a Mockingbird Research Presentation
Purpose: To Kill a Mockingbird has become intertwined in the fabric of our nation’s literary, social, civil,
and cinematic history. In order to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the novel, you will
complete and present a research project. Learning how to properly research and evaluate sources is, also, a
key skill to becoming a successful student and a knowledgeable adult.
Topics: You will be assigned one of the topics below. For each topic, I have listed a few focus questions that
should help you to get started with your research. Be sure to use these questions to guide your research, but do
not let them limit you. I expect you to find other fascinating facts about your topic to include in your
presentation as well.
Partners: You may choose to research alone or with a partner. You may want to think twice about working
with a partner; some work will need to be done at home, and would be easier to arrange if done
independently. If working with a partner, both people must turn in their own notes and bibliography.
1. The Impact of the Great Depression (1930’s) on the South: Give a BRIEF overview of the Great
Depression. How was the South affected differently than other parts of the county? On whom did the
Depression have the greatest impact? How did different groups of people (Businessmen, farmers,
store owners, etc.) react to the Depression?
2. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the “New Deal”: What were his major accomplishments? Why
was he so popular? What was the New Deal? What kind of impact did it have on American society
after the Great Depression?
3. Monroeville and Alabama: Where is Alabama? What are the major cities and industries? What is
Alabama best known for? What was life like for someone living in Alabama in the 1930’s (think
about: food, clothes, work, education, leisure, attitudes)? Be sure to provide some pictures of the
people and towns of Alabama during the Great Depression.
4. Plessy vs. Ferguson (1898) / Brown vs. Board of Education (1954): What were the trials about? Why
were these pivotal moments in American history? What were the verdicts of each trial? How did these
verdicts affect schools in the United States? What was the reaction of the U.S. population in different
parts of the country?
5. Ku Klux Klan: Why/When did they first organize? Who were their targets? How did they deal with
people whom they considered guilty? How did the law deal with the KKK? Where does the KKK
exist today?
6. “Jim Crow Laws”: What were they? Why, when, and how were they started? How were they
enforced? Are any still in effect today? How did they reflect society’s attitudes in the South during
this time?
7. Scottsboro Boys Trial: Who were the “Scottsboro boys”? What were they accused of? By whom?
Why? What was the public reaction? What were the controversial issues? How and when was the trial
resolved? Why is this trial relevant to To Kill a Mockingbird?
8. Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird: Describe her childhood. Who were the influences in her life?
Where did she grow up? How is her life reflected in the novel? Why do you think she is so reclusive,
never granting interviews? Why do highschoolers read To Kill a Mockingbird?
Here is what you need to do for this project:
Decide if you will work alone or with a partner, and select a few topics that you are interested in researching.
Sign up for your topic with Ms. D.
Your topic is : _______________________________ Your due date is: ______________________________
If you have a partner, list his/her name, phone number, & email:
_______________________________________________________________________________
At the library, research your topic. Find as much information as you can, then decide on what your classmates
need to know to understand the novel and time period. Write down the most important information in Cornell
notes (or other format) in your own words – do not copy anything word for word! Below each section of your
notes, be sure to copy down the citation information for your source. I will be collecting your notes and
neatness counts!
You will be turning in a typed bibliography using the information from your notes. Check your Foundations
Packet to make sure that you properly cite your sources. Each person will need a minimum of five sources, at
least one of which must be a source other than a website (book, encyclopedia, magazine, personal interview,
etc.).
Your interesting, informative, and entertaining presentation should be 3-5 minutes if you are working alone,
and 5-6 minutes if you are working with a partner. It must also include a visual. Power Point Presentations are
fun to create, and you can find wonderful photos on the Internet to help your classmates understand your topic
and stay interested. Alternately, you may create a neat, detailed poster with your information clearly outlined
and pictures reflecting your topic. The information on your poster must be typed.
*Note for Power Point Presentations: I will be giving a brief demonstration lesson on how to create Power
Point Presentations at the beginning of class. If you chose to create a PPP, it must be submitted to me (on
CD, flash drive, or by email) the day before your presentation so that I can make sure it is compatible with
the school laptops.
Prepare for your presentation by creating note cards and practicing your speech – you will be marked down if
you read directly from your notes. Your presentation must be both informative and engaging. Practice,
Practice, Practice!
Due Dates
Topic & Group Assignment:
Library Day:
Library/Computer Lab Day:
Presentations:
Thursday 2/25
Thursday 2/25
Monday 3/1
Tuesday 3/2 and (if needed) Thursday 3/3
To Kill a Mockingbird Research Presentation Rubric
Name & Period:
Part I: Written Information & Content
 The student made good use of time and
was on task in the library and computer
lab; work was completed on time
1
2
3
4
5
 Typed bibliography with FIVE sources
cited in the correct bibliographic format,
including at least one non-website
1
2
3
4
5
 Notes are neatly written, in students’
own words, and contain relevant facts
and information
1
2
3
4
5
 The content of the notes and presentation
is thorough; it addresses all questions
and includes other pertinent information
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
YES
NO
Part II: Presentation
 The visual component (power point or
poster) is dazzling – it captures the
audience’s attention while being neat
and easy to read
 The visual component includes all
important information about the topic
 The visual component includes several
interesting photographs that are related
to the topic and enhance the information
being presented
 The presenter is prepared, makes eye
contact with the audience, and does not
read directly from his/her notes
 The presentation was 3-5 minutes
(individual) or 4-6 minutes (partners)
Total ________ / 40 points possible
TkaM Research Presentation Sign-Up List
Tuesday 2/2
1. Great Depression
2. FDR
3. Alabama
4. Supreme Court Cases
5. KKK
6. Jim Crow Laws
7. Scottsboro Boys
8. Book & Author
Thursday 2/4
1. Great Depression
2. FDR
3. Alabama
4. Supreme Court Cases
5. KKK
6. Jim Crow Laws
7. Scottsboro Boys
8. Book & Author