To Kill a Mockingbird Summer Assignment. Pre-AICE English I

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1 Read To Kill a Mockingbird. Assignment 1/Essay To Kill a Mockingbird Summer Assignment Pre-AICE English I Directions: Choose one of the following topics on which to write your essay. Your essay should be 5-6 total paragraphs and typed. You should include at least six but no more than eight quotes to support your thesis. 1. Harper Lee uses the metaphorical symbol of the mockingbird in the title of her famous novel. In your essay, examine her purpose for using this symbol and evaluate how profoundly it affects the reader. Also, be sure to examine the two mockingbirds in the text in order to support your point. 2. In the novel Harper Lee thoroughly investigates several important themes, among them prejudice, intolerance, courage and justice. Choose the theme that you feel most strongly about and evaluate how well Lee analyzes that theme in the text and how readers benefit from her illustration of that theme. 3. To Kill a Mockingbird has been one of the most controversial books in the history of American literature. In fact, many school districts throughout the country have banned the novel from the classroom and school media centers. Why would anyone fight to censor or ban this book? What might they be afraid of? Is there any reason that the censorship of this novel could be justified? Investigate whether or not American schools are justified in the banning of To Kill a Mockingbird, particularly in the southern states. 4. There are many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird who could be considered victims: Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, Mayella Ewell and Charles Baker Harris. Analyze Lee s depiction of victimization in the novel. What would be Lee s purpose in relying so heavily on this theme when writing a relatively happy story about her childhood? 5. One theme that Harper Lee focuses on in the novel that most people overlook is fatherhood. What are the characteristics of a good father? Examine the three fathers that the reader is exposed to in To Kill a Mockingbird: Atticus Finch, Bob Ewell, and Mr. Radley. How do each of these characters live up to, or not live up to, Lee s definition of a good father? What might Lee be trying to teach the reader through examining these three fathers? 1

2 How to Use Quotations in a Literary Analysis Paper Quotations are any material taken directly from the texts that are used for explanation and support within your essay. To become an effective writer, always choose quotations that are clear and appropriate for your writing. Quotations should support your ideas, not replace them. When using quotations, follow the MLA format, which can be found at: Strategies for Using Quotations: Use quotations to support your thoughts and ideas. Effective quotations can back up your main points and support your arguments. Basically, they should make it clear to the reader when in the text you came up with the idea that you are discussing in your paper. Ex: Doing what you know to be right will build your self-esteem. As Mark Twain noted, A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. That is why it is so important to let your conscience guide your actions. Use quotations to lend authority to your writing. Quoting an expert shows that you have researched your topic and understand its significance. Ex: Albert Einstein observed the growth of nuclear power with concern, stating, I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. His disturbing comment reminds us that a nuclear war would result in unthinkable destruction. Use quotations that are succinct and powerful. Any quotation that you use must add value to your writing. Ex: Clearly, the education we provide our students today will determine the success of our future. As Benjamin Franklin put it, An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. A well-funded education system greatly benefits and enriches society. Common Problems to Avoid When Using Quotations Don t plagiarize. You must cite sources for all quotations and paraphrases. Don t use many long quotations. Keep quotations brief and to-the-point. Don t overuse quotations. Use a quotation only if you can t share the idea as powerfully or as effectively in your own words. The paper should be an exhibition of your own thoughts, using quotations to back you up. Not the other way around. Don t ever place two quotations side-by-side. Quotations should always be followed by your commentary (see examples above). 2

3 Don t just drop your quotation into your paper like a bomb. All quotations must have lead-ins and be followed by commentary. Assignment 2/Creative DIRECTIONS: You must complete two of the eight choices, but it is entirely up to you which ones you choose. Label your choice (i.e. Choice 7, etc.) and watch your grammar, spelling and punctuation. CHOICE #1: Write a memoir paragraph about your favorite season using the following quote from p. 34 as a model: Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the tree house; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill. Your paragraph must be at least 12 sentences long; it must be well written; it must have a nostalgic tone. CHOICE #2: Read the following quote from p. 41: Atticus s arrival was the second reason I wanted to quit the game. The first reason happened the day that I rolled into the Radley front yard. Through all the head-shaking, quelling of nausea and Jem-yelling, I had heard another sound, so low I could not have heard it from the sidewalk. Someone inside the house was laughing. Imagine that you are either Scout or Boo. If you are Scout, write a short letter of no less than three paragraphs to Boo explaining why you came onto his property uninvited. If you are Boo, write a short letter of no less than three paragraphs to Scout explaining why you are laughing. Be as descriptive and extensive as possible. CHOICE #3: On p. 49, Atticus finds out that the children are playing a game based on the legends revolving around the Radley s: 3

4 Son, he said to Jem, I m going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man.what Mr. Radley did was his own business. If he wanted to come out, he would. If he wanted to stay inside his own house, he had the right to stay inside free from the intentions of inquisitive children, which was a mild term from the likes of us.what Mr. Radley did might seem peculiar to us, but it did not seem peculiar to him. Furthermore, had it never occurred to us that the civil way to communicate with another being was by the front door instead of a side window. In no less than three paragraphs, discuss Atticus s motivation for reprimanding the children. Also discuss how you feel about his disciplinary tactics: Is this how parents should teach their children right from wrong? CHOICE #4: On p. 45, Miss Maudie describes Mr. Radley for Scout: There are just some kind of men who who re so busy worrying about the next world that they ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results. In no less than three paragraphs discuss the following: What is your immediate reaction to this description of Mr. Radley? Why has Mr. Radley kept his son Arthur locked up in the house for all these years? Now that Arthur is grown, why wouldn t he come out on his own? How do you feel about Arthur Radley and what has happened to him? CHOICE #5: Skim back through p and look for specific examples of morality and ethics exhibited by the children and/or Atticus. List at least five of these examples and give a brief description of three to four sentences for each one. To get you started, an example might be: looking at a situation from another s point of view. CHOICE #6: On p. 37, Scout and the boys get in an argument over the Hot Steam legend and Scout s response to them is: Don t believe a word he says, Dill, I said. Calpurnia says that s nigger talk. 4

5 In a paragraph, describe your feelings about the use of such a word. Also include your thoughts on the following: How can Calpurnia, whom one would think would want to promote equality, use this language around Scout knowing that the girl may then use it on her own? How can Scout, who is being raised by a black woman and who knows the difference between right and wrong, use such language so freely? CHOICE #7: Skim back over Chapter two for Scout s description of the first day of school. Choose your favorite classmate and draw a detailed caricature (cartoon drawing). Also write a brief descriptive paragraph explaining your drawing. CHOICE #8: Choose the episode that most affected you from the novel so far and draw it. You must include a brief descriptive paragraph explaining your drawing and why you chose this particular event. 5