TKAM Dialectical Journals
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Topics:
-Loss of Innocence
-Pride
-Social Inequality
-Persecution
-Moral Education
-Courage
Think about each topic that existed in the
book. Come up with a theme for each. What
do you think that Lee was trying to show the
reader about this topic?
-We did this together in class and
brainstormed themes based on our topics. It
should be on the FRONT of your half-sheet
packet!
-Remember, a theme is a full sentence. The
topics you listed in your dialectical journal
are NOT themes.
-Topic: Courage
Theme: Courage can take many forms.
Topic: Inequaltiy
Theme: Inequality leads to prejudice.
Essay
Identify a theme from To Kill a Mockingbird, and
explain how Harper Lee develops this theme.
• Look at the themes you created.
• How does Harper Lee develop each of the
themes?
• Choose one theme that you can clearly show
development for in the book.
– You’ll need three very different ways that it was
developed.
---Basic Outline--This is in your half page packet.
Intro (3 sentences): Hook, Extra Sentence, Thesis
Body 1 (3.8)- First way the theme is developed:
a.
b.
c.
Supportive Quotes?
Body 2 (3.8)- First way the theme is developed:
a.
b.
c.
Supportive Quotes?
Body 3 (3.8)- First way the theme is developed:
a.
b.
c.
Supportive Quotes?
Conclusion (3 Sentences)
You must have 5 direct quotations integrated into
your essay.
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Essay Hints
Intro
–
Hook---•
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•
–
Segway/ Extra Sentence
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Use the topic
Think about what theme adds to a story
Why do authors use theme?
NO QUESTIONS!
Gets you from talking about your broad
statement to TKAM.
Thesis:
–
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops
the theme ________ through ______,
______, and ____.
Ex. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops
the theme, “courage can take many forms”
through Atticus, Tom Robinson, and Scout.
Ex. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops
the theme, “prejudice can be damaging,”
through racism, sexism, and socioeconomic
standing.
Ex. The setting, characters, and conflicts in To Kill
a Mockingbird allow Harper Lee to develop
the theme “prejudice can be damaging.
–
Keep the three things that develop your
theme consistent.
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•
3 characters
3 events
IDEAS
Social inequality is a constant conflict in life.
Theme adds a universal connection to a piece of literature
The greatest stories include a theme that resonates with the audience.
: ( Have you ever read TKAM?
SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH
The first way that Harper Lee develops the theme “courage is the
willingness to stand up against all odds to do what one believes is right” in
To Kill a Mockingbird is through Atticus. One way that Atticus
demonstrates this idea of courage is through the way that he teaches his
children. Atticus chooses to bring his children up with an accepting and
loving mindset which is contrary to the racist ways of Maycomb; this
choice makes him stand out as courageous for devoting himself to doing
what he believes is right despite what so many others think. Another way
that Atticus demonstrates this idea is during the mob scene. Atticus
chooses to be courageous during this scene and protect Tom Robinson
from the violent and intoxicated group from Old Sarum; despite the fact
that he could have been harmed, Atticus chooses to be courageous and
stand up even though he is greatly outnumbered which develops the
theme by showing his courage in standing up for what he believes is right.
The final and most outstanding display of courage from Atticus comes as
he works tirelessly to ensure that justice is achieved for Robinson even
though the vast majority of the community is against Robinson. Atticus
even supports the idea of courage as he explains his defense of Robinson
to Scout, “…before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.
The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's
conscience,” indicating that Atticus has the courage to do what he believes
is right no matter how many people are against him (Lee 105) .
Throughout the book, Atticus proves to be a strong demonstrator of how
“courage is the willingness to stand up against all odds to do what one
believes is right” as he stands as a beacon of individualism for his personal
belief system.
PROMPT: Identify a theme from To Kill a Mockingbird, and explain how Harper Lee develops this
theme.
Format and Organization
Heading, page numbers, internal citations, works cited page, etc.
Follows the 5 paragraph format (with 3.8 body paragraphs)
/15
/10
/25 pts
Grammar and Usage
No errors=20
Limited errors that do not interfere with understanding=15
Some errors that interfere with understanding=10
Many errors that interfere with understanding=5
Limited to no attention to grammar and usage= 0
______/20 pts
Support
Five direct quotations from the text
Support for prompt and development of ideas
/20
/35
/55 pts
TOTAL SCORE _____/ 100
MLA CITATIONS
• Don’t forget to follow the following rules!
Introductory Formatting
Don’t forget to add in your page numbers.
NEVER leave a quotation ALONE.
Be polite enough to introduce it.
If you have stand alone quotes, you will rewrite!
Ex/ Atticus taught his children many things. “You never
really understand a person until you climb into his
skin and walk around in it” (Lee 96). This adds to the
theme by…
-Every sentence should include at least some of your
own words. There should never be a quote by itself.
Internal Citations
• (Lastname Pg#).-------End punctuation goes AFTER parenthetical
citation
• Odysseus cleverly deceives the Cyclops, declaring, “My name is
Nohbody…” (Homer line 360).
References at the end…
Book
• Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of
Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Medium of Publication.
• What would we write for TKAM?
Final Checklist…
PROMPT: Identify a theme from To Kill a Mockingbird, and explain how Harper Lee develops this theme.
Format and Organization= 25 pts
Grammar and Usage= 20 pts
Support= 55 pts (You should include 5 direct quotations from the book to support your chosen theme.)
TOTAL= 100 Point Essay
-Grammar and spelling COUNT. Be mindful of the way that you are saying things!
-Be certain that you EXPLAIN. Do not just list quotes. If you have stand alone quotes, you WILL REWRITE it. Make a clear
connection as to why those quotes support the theme that you have chosen!
-You should follow MLA formatting.
-You must use parenthetical citations for each of your direct quotations.
-This includes a reference to both the author and page number for direct quotations. Ex/ (Lee 57)
-Notice that it should go inside the end punctuation for the sentence it belongs to.
Ex/ Atticus explains to Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee 30).
-You must have page numbers that include your last name in the top right corner (in the header if you are typing). Ex/ Furlong 1
-You must include the appropriate heading with your name, my name, the class name, and the date.
-You must underline the title of a book if it is handwritten and italicize it if it is typed.
-Remember to capitalize all proper nouns.
-Place your theme in quotation marks to set it off from the sentence.
-You must comment on each quote.
-DO NOT INCLUDE the words YOU, I, WE, or US.
PLEASE READ YOUR PAPER ALOUD TO SOMEONE BEFORE YOU TURN IN THE FINAL DRAFT!