Sunday, April 28, 2013
Essay on a Supporting Character in To Kill a Mockingbird
Dear 9th Graders,
Sorry I've been slow in posting this assignment. I will provide a copy to my substitute, Mrs. Moen, who will share copies with you in Monday's class.
THE ESSAY
Please compose a 2-3 page typed essay in which you share your written impressions of a supporting character in the novel. Most of you signed up for these in class on Friday, April 26. I will post our list on this blog so you can see who signed up for which character.
The following should be goals as you write:
Briefly explain your character's role in the community of Maycomb, Alabama -- particularly, in relation to the Finch Family. (An introductory paragraph or two). What is your character's place in society? Is he/she wealthy, middle-class, or poor? Is he/she someone who attends school? Works for a living? Lives in retirement? What does Scout or Atticus say about this person's role in Maycomb's little society? Good place for a quotation!! And once you quote, then also, please, make a comment. (I.e. Does Scout's characterization seem accurate? Exaggerated? Understated?)
Discuss any and all hints that Harper Lee provides regarding your character's age, appearance, education, and/or unique behavioral habits or quirks. (One or two more paragraphs) Here is another good place to quote from the novel and then comment on what your quoted passage means.
Discuss the way your character expresses himself or herself in words. (One or two paragraphs) Here is still another good place to quote from the novel and then comment on what your quoted passage means.
Discuss at least two defining actions that your character takes -- large or small. (One paragraph for each action.) This part can be more of a discussion, although it's naturally fine to quote from the text if it's easier to use Scout's words.
Last but not least, discuss the way your character contributes to raising or defining at least two main, recurring ideas in the book. (One paragraph for each main idea.) Main ideas... Well, here are a few suggestions... You will undoubtedly think of others, so please don't consider my list to be definitive or limiting! Main ideas naturally include growing up in a motherless family; growing up during the Great Depression; education; racism; justice and the law; small-town values; and the American South. Please talk about ways that your supporting character somehow brings out two of these themes. (And please remember: sometimes a character can bring out a theme by way of a negative example -- by doing something dumb or wrong or extreme. In other words, your character could bring out a theme by way of misbehavior.)
Concluding paragraph.
Your conclusion should sum up everything you have said so far. It would also be nice if you could end by observing something special you have learned about your character while writing this paper. This could be something large or small -- what you learn could be as minor as a word or a type of food, or as major as a defining theme that you had never considered before.
Good luck with this. Rough Drafts will be due in class this Wednesday, May 1, for proofreading. For maximum effectiveness, your rough draft should be typed.
Mr. Bratnober
Sorry I've been slow in posting this assignment. I will provide a copy to my substitute, Mrs. Moen, who will share copies with you in Monday's class.
THE ESSAY
Please compose a 2-3 page typed essay in which you share your written impressions of a supporting character in the novel. Most of you signed up for these in class on Friday, April 26. I will post our list on this blog so you can see who signed up for which character.
The following should be goals as you write:
Briefly explain your character's role in the community of Maycomb, Alabama -- particularly, in relation to the Finch Family. (An introductory paragraph or two). What is your character's place in society? Is he/she wealthy, middle-class, or poor? Is he/she someone who attends school? Works for a living? Lives in retirement? What does Scout or Atticus say about this person's role in Maycomb's little society? Good place for a quotation!! And once you quote, then also, please, make a comment. (I.e. Does Scout's characterization seem accurate? Exaggerated? Understated?)
Discuss any and all hints that Harper Lee provides regarding your character's age, appearance, education, and/or unique behavioral habits or quirks. (One or two more paragraphs) Here is another good place to quote from the novel and then comment on what your quoted passage means.
Discuss the way your character expresses himself or herself in words. (One or two paragraphs) Here is still another good place to quote from the novel and then comment on what your quoted passage means.
Discuss at least two defining actions that your character takes -- large or small. (One paragraph for each action.) This part can be more of a discussion, although it's naturally fine to quote from the text if it's easier to use Scout's words.
Last but not least, discuss the way your character contributes to raising or defining at least two main, recurring ideas in the book. (One paragraph for each main idea.) Main ideas... Well, here are a few suggestions... You will undoubtedly think of others, so please don't consider my list to be definitive or limiting! Main ideas naturally include growing up in a motherless family; growing up during the Great Depression; education; racism; justice and the law; small-town values; and the American South. Please talk about ways that your supporting character somehow brings out two of these themes. (And please remember: sometimes a character can bring out a theme by way of a negative example -- by doing something dumb or wrong or extreme. In other words, your character could bring out a theme by way of misbehavior.)
Concluding paragraph.
Your conclusion should sum up everything you have said so far. It would also be nice if you could end by observing something special you have learned about your character while writing this paper. This could be something large or small -- what you learn could be as minor as a word or a type of food, or as major as a defining theme that you had never considered before.
Good luck with this. Rough Drafts will be due in class this Wednesday, May 1, for proofreading. For maximum effectiveness, your rough draft should be typed.
Mr. Bratnober
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