TKAM Essay Prompts
To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Prompts Survey of Literature with Ms. Wu Writing Goal: To construct a sophisticated, well supported argument in a polished literary analysis essay that masters the 9th Grade Writing Standard 2.2 for Language Arts.
CA 9th Grade Writing Standards
2.2 Write responses to literature:
a) Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works.
b) Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works.
c) Demonstrate awareness of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects created.
d) Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text.
Essay Prompts
Challenging
Parenting. What kind of parent is Atticus Finch? Describe the values he seeks to instill in his children through the lessons he teaches Jem and Scout directly and those he teaches by his example.
Big Ideas. What are the big ideas or themes of To Kill a Mockingbird? Consider what the novel teaches about justice, prejudice, courage, attitudes towards those who are different from us (e.g. The Riddle Scale), race relations, etc.
More Challenging
Mockingbird Metaphor. Why is this novel entitled To Kill a Mockingbird and which character(s) best fits the mockingbird metaphor and why?
Character and Moral Development. Choose either Jem or Scout. In what ways does Jem or Scout change and grow throughout the novel? For example, at the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout are afraid of the Radley place, but by the end, Scout fearlessly walks Boo up to his front porch. What change has taken place in Scout that allows her to walk with Boo? Additionally, how do Jem’s or Scout’s morals develop throughout the novel? What stage(s) of Kohlberg’s moral development best describes Jem’s or Scout’s current level?
Most Challenging
Jim Crow and Race in the South. Not only does race divide the town of Maycomb, it also dictates
CA 9th Grade Writing Standards
2.2 Write responses to literature:
a) Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works.
b) Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works.
c) Demonstrate awareness of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects created.
d) Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text.
Essay Prompts
Challenging
Parenting. What kind of parent is Atticus Finch? Describe the values he seeks to instill in his children through the lessons he teaches Jem and Scout directly and those he teaches by his example.
Big Ideas. What are the big ideas or themes of To Kill a Mockingbird? Consider what the novel teaches about justice, prejudice, courage, attitudes towards those who are different from us (e.g. The Riddle Scale), race relations, etc.
More Challenging
Mockingbird Metaphor. Why is this novel entitled To Kill a Mockingbird and which character(s) best fits the mockingbird metaphor and why?
Character and Moral Development. Choose either Jem or Scout. In what ways does Jem or Scout change and grow throughout the novel? For example, at the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout are afraid of the Radley place, but by the end, Scout fearlessly walks Boo up to his front porch. What change has taken place in Scout that allows her to walk with Boo? Additionally, how do Jem’s or Scout’s morals develop throughout the novel? What stage(s) of Kohlberg’s moral development best describes Jem’s or Scout’s current level?
Most Challenging
Jim Crow and Race in the South. Not only does race divide the town of Maycomb, it also dictates