Prompt Analysis & Prewriting HOW DOES CHARACTER REVEAL THEME?
Prompt Analysis: 1 Characterization 1. Information to get you thinking about the topic. 2. Your writing task. Through words and actions, a character can come to life for the reader. In Harper Lee s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author draws a vivid picture of the character of Atticus Finch as he 2 responds to conflict. In a well-developed, multi-paragraph essay, discuss how the character of Atticus reveals Lee s ideas about social justice. Support your claim with evidence from the text. Theme How does CHARACTER reveal THEME?
Establishing Theme Through Characterization Atticus is (adjective form) Brave Thematic idea (noun form) Bravery
Establishing Theme Through Characterization Now we will write THEMATIC STATEMENTS based on the claims about Atticus. Teacher Model: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the idea that bravery Thematic Idea is demonstrated by standing up for what is right Write a claim about the thematic idea. even though others may condemn one for it Add a qualifying clause [when, because, unless, even, so that, if] to explain what the novel teaches about the thematic idea.. Your Turn: Pick a thematic idea (or a pair of them) and write your own thematic statement.
Thesis vs. Thematic Statement Thesis Statement A sentence in an essay that provides a claim that must be proven in the essay. Thematic Statement A statement about a universal truth revealed in a work of literature. When you have a prompt, your thesis MUST respond to that prompt! You might include a thematic statement in the thesis IF the prompt calls for it. Thesis Statements Thematic Statements
Thesis Statement Through words and actions, a character can come to life for the reader. In Harper Lee s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author draws a vivid picture of the character of Atticus Finch as he responds to conflict. In a well-developed, multi-paragraph essay, discuss how the character of Atticus reveals Lee s ideas about social justice. Support your claim with specific evidence from the text. The big question: The character of Atticus reveals WHAT about social justice? The answer: Your thesis statement.
Thesis Statement In, uses To Kill a Mockingbird Title of Novel, Italicized or Underlined the character of Atticus The Subject/Specific Element from the Prompt that. to Harper Lee The Name of the Author reveal Marker Verb reveal, explore, portray, convey, suggest The Abstract tone, theme, purpose the writer s opinion about the subject that must be proven FOR THIS PROMPT: What does Harper Lee REVEAL ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE? In this case, your thematic statement should be related to the idea of social justice.
Topic Sentences The main idea for your paragraph. For THIS ESSAY, you should focus on the character traits of Atticus that connect to your THEME. As your organize and gather evidence, you should focus on the character traits of Atticus. Example: THESIS: In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus to reveal that even a person who avoids violent confrontation must sometimes confront violence. TOPIC SENTENCE 1: Throughout the novel, Atticus is a character who is nonconfrontational and avoids violent conflicts. Possible examples include not shooting guns & not reacting when Bob Ewell spits in his face TOPIC SENTENCE 2: We learn later in the novel that Atticus will confront violence when absolutely necessary for the good of those around him. Possible examples include shooting the dog & standing watch outside Tom Robinson s cell
Locating Textual Evidence Characteristic of Atticus (related to theme): Textual Evidence: Commentary: Context of the Evidence: Textual Evidence: Commentary: Context of the Evidence:
Body Paragraphs Outline
Helpful Hints 1. Use the CONTEXT (in this scene )to help you embed text evidence. When Scout and Jem receive their air rifles for Christmas, Atticus tells them to shoot all the bluejays you want but remember it s a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 74). 2. Be sure to include PAGE CITATIONS! Once you decide the textual evidence that you want from your excerpts, you need to locate that passage in your copy of the novel to find the page number. When Scout and Jem receive their air rifles for Christmas, Atticus tells them to shoot all the bluejays you want but remember it s a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 74). 3. Punctuation should go AFTER the citation.
Preparing for a Timed Essay What to do before you walk into my room on Tuesday: Complete your PREWRITING PACKET: Thesis statement written. Textual evidence gathered (including context for embedding) Commentary (this may not be completely written, but you should have some abstract ideas prepared) A full understanding of the structure for your essay. What you should NOT do: You should not have a complete essay written.