To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Revising Your Essay

+ To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Revising Your Essay

+ Introduction n Attention-getter: Read the first sentence of your introduction. n Does it pull the reader in? Is it interesting? n Does it relate to the topic of your essay? n Introduce Novel: Read your 2 nd and 3 rd sentence of your introduction. Underline this portion of your introduction. n Do they introduce the novel and author? n Do they present the topic you have chosen for your essay (Scout developing courage/Atticus as a moral hero)

+ Introduction n Thesis Statement: Highlight the last sentence of your introduction. n Does it present the specific topic of your essay? Does it follow the magic thesis formula? n By looking at ____________, one can see that ___________; this is important because ____________.

+ Body Paragraph 1 n Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? n How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero in the BEGINNING of the novel. n Examples: [Bracket] your example from the beginning of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 1. n Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

+ Body Paragraph 1 n Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. n Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? n For example: Topic: Atticus is a moral hero. n Bad Explanation: Atticus tells Scout to see the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, so she learns a lesson. n Better Explanation: Atticus’ advice to Scout proves that he is a moral hero because he is able to empathize with other people. This is important because he passes this lesson onto his children.

+ Body Paragraph 1 n Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? n Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the beginning of the novel?

+ Body Paragraph 2 n Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? n How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero in the MIDDLE of the novel. n Examples: [Bracket] your example from the middle of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 2. n Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

+ Body Paragraph 2 n Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. n Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? n Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? n Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? n Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the middle of the novel?

+ Body Paragraph 3 n Topic Sentence: Highlight the first sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it introduce the GENERAL topic of the body paragraph? How Scout/Atticus is courageous/hero at the END of the novel. n Examples: [Bracket] your example from the end of the novel (including the quote) and label it example 3. n Transition Words: Circle the transition words you use in your first body paragraph.

+ Body Paragraph 3 n Explanation: Underline your explanation of the example. n Does your explanation tell why your example proves Atticus/Scout is heroic/courageous? n Does it explain how this example supports your thesis? n Concluding sentence: Highlight the last sentence of your body paragraph. n Does it wrap up the topic of your body paragraph? n Does it come back to the topic of Atticus/Scout at the end of the novel?

+ Conclusion n Highlight the first sentence of your conclusion. n Does it re-phrase (NOT COPY AND PASTED) your thesis statement? n Does it summarize the main points of your essay? n Underline the last sentence in your conclusion. n Is it thought provoking? Does it leave the reader thinking about the general topic?