From Brainstorm to Thesis

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From Brainstorm to Thesis

• To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

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Atticus Traits

• Smart
• Respectful of others, even if they disagree
• Stand in someone elses shoes
• Peaceful non-violent
• Stands up for what he believes in (integrity)
• Even at risk of own reputation
• Caring parent protects his children
• Community leader

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Atticus Non-violence

• Tells Scout not to fight, even about him
• Instructs Jem Scout not to kill mockingbirds
• Tells Jem to avoid conflict makes him read to
  Mrs. Dubose
• Tells kids courage is more than a man with a gun
  in his hand
• Chooses to defend Tom Robinson
• Protects Tom from lynch mob by sitting outside
  the jail
• Doesnt care what names others call him
• Polite to everyone, especially during trial
• Doesnt react when Bob Ewell spits in his face

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But wait

• Atticus kills Tim Johnson (rabid dog) Ol
  One-Shot
• So. What do I notice?

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What can I look for among my evidence?

• Patterns
• Comparisons / contrasts
• Impact

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What can I say?

• There is a pattern of x.
• Character X is a symbol of y.
• Going further
• The pattern of x shows
• Character X is a symbol of y due to
• Character Xs behavior or pattern or trait ?
  what impact does it have on a theme, on other
  characters, on the events of the novel?

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My Claim

• Despite his reputation as Ol One-Shot Finch,
  Atticus embraces nonviolence as a way to promote
  social change.
• Contrasting different aspects of his trait
• Purpose for noticing this trait

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Thesis / Introduction

• Organization of intro paragraph
• Hook statement (please, no questions!)
• Background info on novel that sets the stage
  for your topic
• Thesis as last sentence
• Need to include title and author
• Need to avoid I statements

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Body Paragraphs

• Topic sentence (claim)
• Evidence
• Specific details
• Must include relevant quotes (1 or 2 per
  paragraph minimum)
• Analysis
• How evidence proves main idea / thesis
• No I statements
• Feel free to break up paragraphs if they get too
  long

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Organization

• Paragraph 1 Killing Tim Johnson
• Paragraph 2
• Transition Despite this
• Telling Jem and Scout to avoid fights over him
• Paragraph 3 defending Tom Robinson, including
  jail scene
• Paragraph 4 politeness to everyone, including
  witnesses and Bob Ewell

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Conclusion

• Answers the so what?
• Reminds reader of thesis
• Does NOT restate thesis
• Strategies
• Establish an image or metaphor or significant
  language in the introduction that you can return
  to in the conclusion
• Use a quote to bring your ideas together
• Consider the wider implications for your argument