1. Warm-up
In our story so far, which character or situation has been the most interesting to you? Why?

2. Beginning Your Essay
One paragraph at a time

3. Crucial Vocabulary
Theme:  theme is an idea or concept that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word
Analysis (paper):An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.
Thesis: a one- or two-sentence condensation of the argument or analysis that is to follow. We refer to that condensation as a thesis statement.

4. What should a thesis be?
1. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
2. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
3. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

5. How to begin…
If you have an assigned topic, one method is to turn your topic into a question, and have your thesis answer the question.
For example: How is the theme of “empathy”, “compassion” and “tolerance” represented in To Kill a Mockingbird?
For example: How is the theme of “climbing into one’s skin” represented in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Answer (Thesis statement): The theme of empathy is represented as the narrator, Scout, attempts to understand the actions of several other characters in the novel.
Answer (Thesis statement): By analyzing the trial scene in the novel, we can see how the theme of “climbing into one’s skin” is represented as several characters attempt to understand the actions of other characters.

6. How to begin…
By using your warm-up from today and the other resources you’ve compiled while reading this novel, answer the question below as specifically as you can in order to create your thesis. (These are sample questions, try and come up with your own question to answer)
How is the theme of “empathy” “compassion” and “tolerance” represented in To Kill a Mockingbird?
How is the theme of “climbing in one’s skin” represented in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Answer/Thesis: