Because To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel told in first person, readers are never given an outside view of its narrator Scout Finch. Instead, we meet her and get to know how she thinks and what she feels through her narration, dialogue, and descriptions of the characters and setting around her. With this in mind, in a well-organized and developed essay, explain how Harper Lee characterizes the narrator Scout Finch and explain how that characterization shapes the reader’s perception of either ONE of the novel’s settings or ONE of the other characters introduced in the opening chapter. (do NOT merely summarize the plot of the chapter) Be sure to:
Include an introduction paragraph that: (a) discusses the bias/influence of a first-person narrative perspective; (b) TAGs the text (with chapter), (c) describes how Scout is characterized, and (d) has a specific thesis about the influence Scout’s perspective has on the presentation of the setting/other character.
Includes body paragraphs that include: (a) topic sentences; (b) textual evidence; (c) relevant literary devices, if they support topic sentence; (d) commentary on (a) and (b); a closing statement that wraps up the ideas of the paragraph.
In your topic sentence, making a connection to the main idea of the previous paragraph can help create an effective transition.
In your closing sentence, making a connection to the main idea of the following paragraph can help create an effective transition
Be sure that each body paragraph is about a specific topic that proves one part of the original thesis!
Includes a conclusion that makes connections between the big ideas or evidence in the previous paragraphs, but does not just restate what was said. This is a good time to make a connection with big, universal ideas, maybe about the role of first-person storytelling or something similar (what theme topic seems related to your response?).
Goals are to demonstrate an understanding of how a specific narrative point of view influences the presentation of character and setting and to show an ability to select and explore evidence that demonstrates this understanding.
Exemplary Work will thoughtfully select appropriate textual evidence and embed it into original sentences smoothly and demonstrate a command of writing conventions.