Freshman Literature & Composition
To Kill a Mockingbird
Essay Assignment
Select one of the following topics for your essay:
1. One of several powerful symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird is the gun. The
gun symbolizes a false sense of power; real courage and bravery come
from one’s conscious actions. Atticus tells Jem:
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the
idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand” (112).
Select two characters from the novel that exhibit real courage and bravery
through their actions. Describe them and the situations in which they
demonstrate real courage and bravery. Be sure to quote from the text to
support your response. Also, be sure to describe the racial and political
climate of the time by using direct examples from Eyes on the Prize.
2. Both Jem and Scout change throughout the novel. Each experiences a
true loss of innocence on several levels. How are the Jem and Scout we
meet in the beginning of the novel different from the Jem and Scout we
see at the end of the story? What experiences make them see the world a
bit differently? Which of the two do you think experiences the greater
change? Why? Again, be sure to quote from the text to provide specific
support for your views. Also, be sure to describe the racial and political
climate of the time and how this climate and culture affect both Jem and
Scout by using direct examples from Eyes on the Prize.
3. We encounter several different families in To Kill a Mockingbird. Just as in
our lives we encounter families with sometimes vast differences, we can
see families in this novel that are quite different from each other. Yet, they
all have some characteristics in common. What differences and similarities
can you see in the following families: the Finches, the Cunninghams, and
the Ewells? Again, be sure to quote from the text to provide specific
support for your views. Also, be sure to describe the racial and political
climate of the time and how it relates to this topic by using direct examples
from Eyes on the Prize.
Freshman Literature & Composition
To Kill a Mockingbird
Essay Assignment
REQUIREMENTS
 12 point font
 Double-spaced
 Cover Page with a title
 Correct in-text citations and works cited (Your
paper should contain a significant number of
quotations to back up your main argument(s))
 Direct examples to back up your textual
arguments using Eyes on the Prize
 No personal pronouns (Including “I”),
contractions, or other grammatical blunders.
 Page Length -- Up to you. The paper should be as
long as it needs to be to efficiently get your
points across.
 Include a header with last name and page number.
 Fabulous, smooth, balanced quotation
integration!
 Be creative!
 Proofread! Perfect spelling is assumed!
Freshman Literature & Composition
To Kill a Mockingbird
Essay Assignment
NAME:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Guidelines/Checklist
Organization
____ Paper follows a logical sequence
____ Well developed introduction with a creative hook and ended with a thesis statement
____Every paragraph begins with a topic sentence
____ Clear transitions connect paragraphs and show how ideas fit together
____Conclusion paragraph provides summary, development and “food for thought.”
Support/Development
____ Paper has specific, developed thesis that is supported throughout paper (with specific,
concrete examples from the text) and maintains focus
____ Paper does not simply recount the book; it explores the paper topic completely.
____A sufficient amount of quotations from the novel are used to support key arguments.
____Quotations are introduced (reader is told necessary info--who, when, to whom, etc. quote
is said)
_____Quotations are thoroughly explained.
_____All quotations fit and support your thesis
____ Paragraphs are well-developed; ideas are explained completely, and reader has no
remaining questions
____ Direct examples from Eyes on the Prize are used appropriately.
Grammar
____Proper Documentation
____Spell-check/capitalization
____Paper does not use “you” or “I”
____ Punctuation
____Sentence Variety/Agreement/Word Choice
____Present tense used throughout paper
____Included header
___/100
Freshman Literature & Composition
To Kill a Mockingbird
Essay Assignment
TIMELINE
 Paper topic due Friday, April 21
o Come to class with a typed paragraph of which topic you will be
writing about and some of your main points; the focus of your
paragraph should be on why you chose that topic. 10 points
 Thesis statement due Monday, April 24
o Come to class with a typed, clear thesis statement. 5 points
 Outline due Thursday, April 27
o Come to class with a typed outline for your entire essay. 15 points
 Rough draft due Monday, May 1
o Come to class with 2 copies of your rough draft for peer-editing.
15 points
 Final Paper due Friday, May 5
o Come to class with your final paper, including a title page, works
cited page, one copy of a peer-edited rough draft, outline and your
rubric.
100 points
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Please use the following citation (on your works cited page) for Eyes on
the Prize:
Eyes on the Prize I: America's Civil Rights Years 1954-1965.
PBS Video, 1991.