Literary Essay Assignment
Grade 10 English
Ms. Walker
Grade 10 English requires you to write a literary essay. You are responsible for proper MLA
citation so please pay close attention to the mini-lessons. Lack of proper citation could result in a
mark of zero. Use the following website should you have any questions:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Please include an interesting title, a clear thesis statement, and a minimum of three quotes and
body paragraphs to support your argument. You are asked to choose one of the titles below, and
we will choose a topic from this list to complete as a class so that the writing of a literary essay is
clearly modeled for you. You will receive a checklist to make sure that you have included
everything that is necessary to get a great mark. You will be assessed using the School District
Writing Rubric, which assesses the six strands of writing.
Topics
1. Analyze the relationship between Boo Radley and the children. How does this
relationship change throughout the book? What are the causes of the developments in
this relationship?
2. Discuss the concept of fear as presented in the novel. Compare the children's early
fear of Boo Radley to their fear or lack thereof when Bob Ewell attacks them. Is
Scout correct in stating that real fear can only be found in books?
3. Although criticized openly, Atticus is respected throughout the town of Maycomb.
Why is this true? What message is Harper Lee sending about the kind of character
Atticus is?
4. Discuss the concept of education. Does Lee argue for the importance of education in
the home or public education? What evidence does she provide?
5. Trace the theme of the mockingbird throughout the novel and analyze what the bird
symbolizes or represents.
6. Trace Boo Radley's development from monster to savior. How does Scout's
understanding of Boo develop? What lessons does Boo teach Scout?
7. Discuss Atticus's approach to parenting. What is his relationship with his children?
Can his parenting style be criticized? If so, how?
8. Scout and Jem mature considerably through the course of the novel. What
developmental changes do they go through, and what causes these changes? How is
this novel about the loss of innocence?
9. Discuss law as it is represented in To Kill A Mockinbird. What power and limitations
exist within the legal system according to Atticus, Jem, and Scout?
10. Choose any of the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird and compare/contrast them with
another work of literature, poem, song, or media that reminds you of this book in
regards to the plot, characters, conflict, etc.
Checklist:
/15
1. My introduction does one of the following:
-my topic is related to a recent news story
______
-my introduction starts with an interesting fact
______
-my intro starts with an anecdote(story) related to my topic______
-my intro starts with a contrast between a common idea
and my topic.
______
-I start with a broad, general statement, then narrow down
my topic.
______
-my intro explains the importance of my topic
______
2. I have written a clear thesis statement at or near the end of my introductory
paragraph.
______
3. I have at least than three quotes in each body paragraph
to support my thesis statement.
______
4. I have explained each of my quotes appropriately.
______
5. I have started my body paragraphs with my second weakest argument._____
6. I have ended my body paragraphs with my strongest argument.
______
7. I have re-stated my thesis in a new way in my conclusion.
______
8. I have re-stated each of my arguments in a new way, using one
sentence for each argument in my conclusion.
______
9. I have ended my conclusion with a “zinger.”(an interesting way of
summing up my topic).
______
10. All of my arguments make sense and I have evidence for each one.______
11. I have clearly argued my thesis statement throughout the essay. _______
Reflection:
What was the most difficult part of writing this essay? How well does this essay reflect your
writing skills? How well did you make use of the “writing process?” What could you have done
to make this essay better?