Analytical Essay Outline: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
Formal Essay Outline
Literary Analysis
* Rough Times
I. Introduction
A. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view.” To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is about two boys named Jem and Dill. Jem lives with his father Atticus Finch, his little sister Scout Finch, and their cook Calpurnia in Maycomb County. Dill lives with his mother in Meridian, Mississippi and he also visits his Aunt Rachel in Maycomb which is where his family is originally from.
B. In to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I believe that the book would change drastically if it was told from Jem’s and Dill’s point of view.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Harper Lee
C. It would change by how honest they were …show more content…
and how they act in the same situations
II. First Body Paragraph (1st supporting reason)
A. The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, would change based on how honest they were.
B.
Evidence #1
1. To demonstrate, scout doesn’t even believe what he says sometimes.
2. “Don’t believe a word he says, Dill” (37).
3. Jem must tell a lot of lies if his own sister doesn’t believe some things he says.
C. Evidence #2
1. Jem can also tell the truth sometimes such as when Atticus found them trying to give a note to Boo Radley
2. “We weren’t makin’ fun of him, we weren’t laughin’ at him, said Jem, ‘We were just---‘ ‘‘so that was what you were doing, wasn’t it?’ “ making fun of him’ no said Atticus,’ putting his life’s history on display for the edification of the neighbor.’ Jem seemed to swell a little. “ I didn’t say we were doing that, I didn’t say it!” Atticus grinned dryly! “ You just told me’(49).
3. Jem told the truth about them playing Boo Radley and he didn’t know until after he said it. Atticus used his lawyer tricks on him.
D. Evidence #3
1. When dill came back from meridian for the summer he lied about his dad’s beard.
2. “I bet he’s got a beard down to here-“ Dill stopped as if trying to remember. “uh huh, caughtcha “, I said.” You said ‘fore you were off the train good your daddy had a black beard-“ (47).
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and …show more content…
argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
III. Second Body Paragraph (2nd supporting reason)
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence #1
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
C. Evidence #2
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
D. Evidence #3
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
IV. Third Body Paragraph (3rd supporting reason)
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence #1
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
C. Evidence #2
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
D. Evidence #3
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
V. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
B. Summarize supporting reasons
C. Concluding thoughts
Introduction: the opening paragraph. The introduction should include the following:
Hook, Author, Title, Main Characters, A Short Summary, Thesis
Hook: The beginning sentences of the introduction that catch the reader’s interest. Ways of beginning creatively include the following:
A startling fact or bit of information
A meaningful quotation (from the work or another source)
A rich, vivid description
An analogy or metaphor
Introductions should identify the work of literature being discussed, name the author, and briefly present the issue that the body of your essay will more fully develop (your thesis). Basically, introductions suggest that something interesting is occurring in a particular work of literature.
State the thesis in the last sentence.
Body: The body of your paper should logically and fully develop and support your thesis.
Develop your ideas fully. In each section, integrate quotations and textual details from sources. Analyze all examples, probing to the underlying ideas.
Be sure to provide clear topic sentences and transitions to guide your reader.
Be sure to provide transitions to guide your reader.
Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your thesis statement.
These paragraphs include:
A topic sentence – a topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph: it serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. You might think of it as a signpost for your readers—or a headline—something that alerts them to the most important, interpretive points in your essay. It might be helpful to think of a topic sentence as working in two directions simultaneously. It relates the paragraph to the essay 's thesis, and thereby acts as a signpost for the argument of the paper as a whole, but it also defines the scope of the paragraph itself.
Context for the quote
Who says it?
What is happening in the text when they say it?
This prepares the reader for the quote by introducing the speaker, setting, and/or situation.
Quote/Concrete details - a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence/support thesis.
Commentary - your explanation and interpretation of the concrete detail. Commentary explains how the concrete detail proves the thesis.
Clincher/Concluding Sentence - last sentence of the body paragraph. It concludes the paragraph by tying the concrete details and commentary back to the major thesis.
Conclusion: the last paragraph where you are given one last chance to convince the reader of your argument and provide a sense of closure.
Summarize your argument AND extend your argument.
A sophisticated conclusion does not simply restate the thesis of the introduction or summarize the logic presented in the body of the essay. Your conclusion, most often, will try to suggest the broader significance of your discussion – why is it important?
Explain what you have learned about your novel. Put your own personal stamp on this paragraph. Explain how these books relate to your life and to America today.
The last sentence must have
impact.
Format: Type everything properly—MLA style. And don’t forget the Works Cited page!! (1” margins, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font, MLA heading, Last Name/pg. # at the top right of each page.) WE WILL GO OVER THIS BEFORE THE FINAL IS DUE!!!
Final Note: You will be judged on the strength of your argument, the depth of your insight, the quality of literature you have chosen, and the power of your writing. You are expected to write a clear, interesting, and convincing essay. Voice and tone should be evident. Syntax should be varied and sophisticated. Figures of speech should appear. Mechanics should be flawless.
Literary Analysis
* Rough Times
I. Introduction
A. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view.” To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is about two boys named Jem and Dill. Jem lives with his father Atticus Finch, his little sister Scout Finch, and their cook Calpurnia in Maycomb County. Dill lives with his mother in Meridian, Mississippi and he also visits his Aunt Rachel in Maycomb which is where his family is originally from.
B. In to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I believe that the book would change drastically if it was told from Jem’s and Dill’s point of view.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Harper Lee
C. It would change by how honest they were …show more content…
and how they act in the same situations
II. First Body Paragraph (1st supporting reason)
A. The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, would change based on how honest they were.
B.
Evidence #1
1. To demonstrate, scout doesn’t even believe what he says sometimes.
2. “Don’t believe a word he says, Dill” (37).
3. Jem must tell a lot of lies if his own sister doesn’t believe some things he says.
C. Evidence #2
1. Jem can also tell the truth sometimes such as when Atticus found them trying to give a note to Boo Radley
2. “We weren’t makin’ fun of him, we weren’t laughin’ at him, said Jem, ‘We were just---‘ ‘‘so that was what you were doing, wasn’t it?’ “ making fun of him’ no said Atticus,’ putting his life’s history on display for the edification of the neighbor.’ Jem seemed to swell a little. “ I didn’t say we were doing that, I didn’t say it!” Atticus grinned dryly! “ You just told me’(49).
3. Jem told the truth about them playing Boo Radley and he didn’t know until after he said it. Atticus used his lawyer tricks on him.
D. Evidence #3
1. When dill came back from meridian for the summer he lied about his dad’s beard.
2. “I bet he’s got a beard down to here-“ Dill stopped as if trying to remember. “uh huh, caughtcha “, I said.” You said ‘fore you were off the train good your daddy had a black beard-“ (47).
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and …show more content…
argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
III. Second Body Paragraph (2nd supporting reason)
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence #1
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
C. Evidence #2
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
D. Evidence #3
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
IV. Third Body Paragraph (3rd supporting reason)
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence #1
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
C. Evidence #2
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
D. Evidence #3
1. Context/Introduce the quote/evidence
2. Quote from text (MLA in-text citation!)
3. Analysis (analyze/connect evidence to supporting reason and argument)
E. Clincher/Concluding Sentence
V. Conclusion
A. Restate thesis
B. Summarize supporting reasons
C. Concluding thoughts
Introduction: the opening paragraph. The introduction should include the following:
Hook, Author, Title, Main Characters, A Short Summary, Thesis
Hook: The beginning sentences of the introduction that catch the reader’s interest. Ways of beginning creatively include the following:
A startling fact or bit of information
A meaningful quotation (from the work or another source)
A rich, vivid description
An analogy or metaphor
Introductions should identify the work of literature being discussed, name the author, and briefly present the issue that the body of your essay will more fully develop (your thesis). Basically, introductions suggest that something interesting is occurring in a particular work of literature.
State the thesis in the last sentence.
Body: The body of your paper should logically and fully develop and support your thesis.
Develop your ideas fully. In each section, integrate quotations and textual details from sources. Analyze all examples, probing to the underlying ideas.
Be sure to provide clear topic sentences and transitions to guide your reader.
Be sure to provide transitions to guide your reader.
Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your thesis statement.
These paragraphs include:
A topic sentence – a topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph: it serves as a mini-thesis for the paragraph. You might think of it as a signpost for your readers—or a headline—something that alerts them to the most important, interpretive points in your essay. It might be helpful to think of a topic sentence as working in two directions simultaneously. It relates the paragraph to the essay 's thesis, and thereby acts as a signpost for the argument of the paper as a whole, but it also defines the scope of the paragraph itself.
Context for the quote
Who says it?
What is happening in the text when they say it?
This prepares the reader for the quote by introducing the speaker, setting, and/or situation.
Quote/Concrete details - a specific example from the work used to provide evidence for your topic sentence/support thesis.
Commentary - your explanation and interpretation of the concrete detail. Commentary explains how the concrete detail proves the thesis.
Clincher/Concluding Sentence - last sentence of the body paragraph. It concludes the paragraph by tying the concrete details and commentary back to the major thesis.
Conclusion: the last paragraph where you are given one last chance to convince the reader of your argument and provide a sense of closure.
Summarize your argument AND extend your argument.
A sophisticated conclusion does not simply restate the thesis of the introduction or summarize the logic presented in the body of the essay. Your conclusion, most often, will try to suggest the broader significance of your discussion – why is it important?
Explain what you have learned about your novel. Put your own personal stamp on this paragraph. Explain how these books relate to your life and to America today.
The last sentence must have
impact.
Format: Type everything properly—MLA style. And don’t forget the Works Cited page!! (1” margins, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font, MLA heading, Last Name/pg. # at the top right of each page.) WE WILL GO OVER THIS BEFORE THE FINAL IS DUE!!!
Final Note: You will be judged on the strength of your argument, the depth of your insight, the quality of literature you have chosen, and the power of your writing. You are expected to write a clear, interesting, and convincing essay. Voice and tone should be evident. Syntax should be varied and sophisticated. Figures of speech should appear. Mechanics should be flawless.