Researched Essay: Assignment Instructions
To Kill a Mockingbird addresses some of the most controversial issues of the
early 20th century, including racial segregation and violence, shifting gender
roles, and the economic and class disparities of the post-Civil War South.
To better understand the historical importance of the text and its role in
American literature, you will be assigned one of the following issues to
research and trace as you read the text. You then will use your research
and analysis of the novel to develop a typed-written 3-4 page essay, incorporating
citations from the novel as well as from other sources from your independent
research. You also will complete a works cited page.
Inquiry Topics: As a class, we will explore the following issues during our reading of To Kill a Mockingbird. No more than five students may research any one topic. Please indicate your preference to your instructor.
1. Race and the Legal System: Research the 1931 case of the Scottsboro Boys, or a similar case from the same time period in which falsely-accused black defendants faced all-white juries. Compare and contrast in an essay how the justice system worked in the real-life case to the novel’s fictional trial of Tom Robinson.
2. Jim Crow Laws: To Kill a Mockingbird is set in Alabama during the 1930s, a period in which legal segregation still existed. Research the racial segregation laws known collectively as Jim Crow laws and explore in an essay how the existence of this system influenced one of the novel’s primary characters.
3. The Great Depression: Fictional Maycomb County, Alabama, is suffering through the Great Depression in To Kill a Mockingbird. Research the impact of this period on the rural South and explore in an essay how social class distinctions and tensions between the wealthy and the poor influence the novel.
4. Censorship Challenges: The American Library Association identifies To Kill a Mockingbird as one of the most frequently banned books in U.S. classrooms and libraries. Research the history of objections to the novel and develop an essay evaluating why the novel should remain required reading based on its literary and cultural merit.
5. Role of Women: Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, the young female narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird, is coming of age at a time when roles for women outside of the household were limited. Research women’s issues from the first half of the 20th century (1900-1950) and explore in an essay how Scout’s character challenges traditional gender roles.
Date: Assignment/Task(s): Points:
Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 19-20 LIBRARY RESEARCH DAYS
Tuesday, Oct. 20 Two working bibliography sheets due at conclusion of library
research days, with inquiry questions to pursue.
REQUIRED: At least two sources, including one print source.
Monday, Oct. 26 RESEARCH/WRITING DAY: COMPUTER LAB
Wednesday, Oct. 28 Preliminary findings and text predictions
(See instructions)
Wednesday, Nov. 04 Pre-writing and introduction with thesis
(See instructions)
Tuesday, Nov. 10 WRITING/WORKS CITED DAY: COMPUTER LAB
Wednesday, Nov. 11 Complete first copy for peer editing sessions DUE 20
Monday, Nov. 16 Final typed copy submitted to instructor
(See evaluation rubric) 50
Internet:
1. Scottsboro:
Scottsboro: An American Tragedy: Click on “Timeline” for a year
by year account of the events. Click on “People” for information
about the people involved.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/index.html
Scottsboro Trials:
http://library.thinkquest.org/12111/scottsboro/historic.htm
2. Jim Crow Laws:
The History of Jim Crow: Click on “History” for an overview of
the story of Jim Crow. Click on “Geography” for a history of Jim
Crow in the South and North.
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/home.htm
3. The Great Depression: in the rural South.
Student Resource Center –Try searching: “great depression”,
or “1930s” as search terms. Password: cinc48953 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/cinc48953
4. Censorship:
Student Resource Center –Try searching: to kill a mockingbird AND censorship.
Password: cinc48953 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/cinc48953
5. Women (1900-1950):
Student Resource Center –Try searching: 1920’s AND women, or 1930’s
AND women. Password: cinc48953 http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/cinc48953
To Kill a Mockingbird English 9 College Prep, Fall 2009 Mr. Scudder/Ms. Gibson
Preliminary Findings & Text
Predictions: Assignment Instructions
DUE: October 28
As you develop your researched essay, you must record detailed information
gathered about your topic and begin to consider how your research topic intersects
with our reading of To Kill a Mockingbird. For this part of the assignment,
you will submit two pages with the following information:
? Preliminary research findings, including three to four primary findings from your research that you believe are important to understanding the topic as well as Lee’s novel.
? Two to three additional discovery items that you believe could have relevance as you continue reading the text and refining the focus of your researched essay.
? Three predictions about the text as it relates to your topic. These predictions must be submitted as complete paragraphs that include at least one citation from the completed reading.
Pre-Writing & Introduction
with Thesis: Assignment Instructions
DUE: November 4
In the third week of the essay assignment, you will begin the pre-writing process.
This will include composing an introduction and thesis statement and identifying
three key points about your research topic and thesis statement that will be
developed into complete body paragraphs. To show evidence of your pre-writing
process for this assignment, you will submit the following:
? An introductory paragraph that includes an engaging attention device and concludes with a thesis statement that smoothly incorporates the author, prompt, and title.
? Three key points about your research topic as it relates to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird along with a clear description of support from the text or other sources.
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To Kill a Mockingbird ~ Essay Assignment DUE: November 16 NAME:______________________
ESSAY EVALUATION FORM: Cut this section from the instructions page and attach it along with the first draft and all peer editing notes to your final submission. Your essay must be typed-written, 3-4 pages in length. The paper must follow MLA format, include an original title as well as a properly formatted works cited page.
SCORE: ________ x 10 = _______/50
[5] The essay clearly shows the writer’s ability to analyze a literary work/prompt perceptively and incorporate in that analysis independent research on a related topic or issue. The writer demonstrates an ability to control a thesis and to write with clarity, precision, and coherence. Organization reflects understanding of the MLA format, including a properly-formatted works cited page. Skillful use of language and sentence variety is evident. The essay displays the influence of the writing process, shown through supporting earlier copies.
[4] The essay introduces some insight into the novel and research on a related topic or issue, but the analysis is less thorough, less perceptive, and/or less specific than that of the [5] essays. References/citations to the work and other sources are not as well selected or as fluent. Essays in the [4] range generally are well written, but the thesis and support are underdeveloped and sophistication in substance and/or style is lacking. The MLA format, works cited page, and/or parenthetical citations lack mastery.
[3] The essay lacks content
and/or has some missing components with minimal analysis and research. Essays
that score a [3] often rely on plot summary that
contains some analysis with a simplistic understanding and minimal evidence
from the text. The writer demonstrates adequate organization and control of
language, but with minimal content development. These essays often include
deficiencies in the writer’s control of language mechanics and usage,
grammar, and spelling (MUGS). Some components of MLA format and/or the works
cited page are lacking.