1. 9th Grade Core
THEME ESSAY

2. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
There are many themes (insights or lasting truths about life) which literature offers readers. Often literature and its themes are based on the events and lessons we have experienced throughout history from the events that have shaped our lives. Write an essay which states and fully explains ONE major theme of a novel or play that we read as a class while also exploring a historical connection for that theme.

3. (HOW the writer says it)
Advanced
20-18 points
Proficient
17-14 points
Basic
13-12 points
Below Basic
11-0 points
Focus and
Organization
Establishes a clear and specific thesis statement focused on a single theme
Incorporates sophisticated and subtle techniques to engage the reader
Purpose of the writing is clearly evident; focus is maintained throughout
Examples are presented in a way that is logical and easy to follow. The essay reflects the choice of an appropriate organizational structure
Format, paragraphing, and transitions are sophisticated and subtle
Establishes a clear thesis statement focused on a single theme
Includes title, author, genre in introduction
Purpose of the writing is evident; focus is largely maintained throughout
Examples are presented in a way that is easy to follow. The essay reflects the choice of an appropriate organizational structure
Format, paragraphing, and transitions are present
Thesis statement lacks a clear focus
Purpose of the writing is not readily apparent; focus wanders
Limited organizational structure that may be difficult to follow
Limited use of paragraphing and transitions
Lacks a clear thesis
Purpose of the writing is not apparent and lacks focus
Lacks logical structure
Content
(WHAT the writer
says)
Well-chosen, fully-developed examples (2-3) from the text that illustrate and analyze the importance of the selected theme to the author’s purpose
Thoroughly explains how the examples are connected to the thesis (theme)
Enhances examples with well-chosen citations from the text
Insightfully explains the theme’s importance for characters and people today.
Appropriate and adequately developed examples (2-3) from the text that illustrate the theme and attempt to analyze its importance
Adequately explains how the examples are connected to the thesis (theme)
Includes citations from the text
Explains the theme’s importance for characters and people today.
Limited and undeveloped examples from the text that may not clearly illustrate the theme
Minimal explanation of how examples are connected to the thesis (theme)
May include citations from the text
Attempts to explain the theme’s importance for characters and people today.
Underdeveloped or confused examples that do not illustrate the theme
Lacks explanation of how examples are connected to the thesis (theme)
Lacks citations from the text
Fails to explain theme’s importance for characters and people today.
Voice and Style
(HOW the writer says it)
Fluent and understandable writing
Sophisticated and varied sentence structure
Awareness of audience
Precise and sophisticated word choice
Appropriate tone for the purpose of the essay
Awareness of pronoun usage
Writes in literary present tense
Writing is understandable
Varied sentence structure
Some awareness of audience
Appropriate and varied word choice
Some awareness of pronoun usage
Writing is somewhat difficult to understand
Repetitive/incorrect sentence structure
Limited awareness of audience
Limited word choice
Limited awareness of pronoun usage
Limited use of literary present tense
Writing is difficult to understand
Flawed sentence structure
Disregard for audience
Inappropriate word choice
Lacks awareness of pronoun usage and literary present tense
Conventions
Evident control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
Paper is virtually error-free
Properly formatted citations
Control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, & sentence formation
Errors in conventions do not significantly impact meaning
Limited control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
Errors in conventions impact meaning
Little to no control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
Errors severely impact meaning

4. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
Using your graphic organizer to guide your content, compose the essay’s body as it relates to tracing the thematic development in the text. But let us also ensure that we attempt to articulate the theme’s importance to the author’s purpose. This furthers your discussion beyond a summary by providing your insights.
The audience has read the text, so there isn’t a need to retell the story, but rather cite instances as you articulate how the author develops the theme.
Remember to write in literary present, to avoid 1st/2nd person pronouns, and incorporate your excerpts with a set up and a correct in-text citation.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
PEER REVIEW
Use the rubric to read for ideas:
“Clear and specific thesis”
“Logical and easy to follow”
“Well-chosen… examples”
“Fully developed… examples”
“Explains the theme’s importance”
Scan for the big 4

6. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
Intro
Grabber- For a literary analysis, there are generally two ways to get started: discuss your motif or the literary element of theme.
Thesis- it is the theme you created based on the motif
TAG- this takes the general theme and connects it to the text
Preview- give a glimpse into the body, in terms of the text and/or the importance of theme

7. History is known for its strict and discriminating attitude towards people of the African American race; whether it was slavery, limitations to ordinary things like water fountains, or the murder of blacks under unjust motives, they go through the poorest circumstances they could be put into. The motif of race plays an extremely important role in the fictional novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The color of  skin shouldn’t determine how someone lives life or is treated; however, the characters in this novel live in an environment where hatred towards blacks is taught as a normality- only few think otherwise, and even fewer stand up to make a difference. The book shows evidence of this theme through the thoughts and actions of Atticus and Scout Finch, Cecil Jacobs, Calpurnia, Bob and Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson and has a dramatic effect on the individuals of Maycomb. 

8. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
Conclusion
Restate the thesis
Review a general summary of the body
Zinger- as always, the best zingers connect back to the grabber; in this case, it is a chance to voice your take on the theme

9. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird  is packed with myriad themes that can be applied both to the characters and, consequently, to the world today. The book’s main theme presents a look at how poorly and disrespectfully some are treated for no exact reason, other than the biases associated with race. Lee wrote this book to push the Civil Rights act further than it was and hopefully make a difference for the poorly and unfairly treated population, based on the prejudices that existed in society; her book became a powerful force attempting to change racist and tainted mindsets in hopes they would not last forever. 

10. ARMS …a simple way to improve an essay
A (add)
Missing task items, excerpts to further argument, details/descriptions or any content related items
R (remove)
Unnecessary repetitions, unimportant excerpts, off task/topic information
M (move)
Sentence structure for variety/style, paragraphs for emphasis, idea order for a logical flow
S (substitute)
Overused words, weak verbs with strong verbs, better adjectives, generic words…for style and/or clarity

11. Revising/Editing A LITERARY ANALYSIS
Revision is altering what you say (ARMS)
Do I follow the elements of organization/blueprint- thesis and thread, intro/conclusion elements?
Is my thesis/claim succinct? Do I then present the best examples and arguments to validate it?
Do I include and set up my excerpts as the best evidence? Do I repeat the quote or “use” it?
Is there a clear balance of insights/opinions of your own, in addition the specific evidence?
Editing is more about conventions and how you say it
Continue with some of the “S” (in terms of style).
The obvious stuff -periods, title/title, no symbols, etc.
The not so obvious stuff the spell check might not catch -homophones, repeated/missing words
Scan and find all verbs –they need to be present tense if discussing plot!
Double check citation rules (in-text and works cited, long/block quotes, etc.)

12. Core Turn-In
12 pt, double spaced, black –but font type can vary a little but should still be “educational”
Don’t forget MLA header and a creative title (same font as paper)
I’ll comment/grade electronically but will use the rubric to guide me/score it, so take a second to look it over (on my website); also, since this is a culminating activity, scour past TBR’s to learn from previous mistakes and/or strengths.
Go into NoodleTools/citation manual if needed and create a Works Cited Page for the book.
Name the file lastname_theme and “drop” it

13. To Kill a Mockingbird literary analysis
There are many themes (insights or lasting truths about life) which literature offers readers. Often literature and its themes are based on the events and lessons we have experienced throughout history from the events that have shaped our lives. Write an essay which states and fully explains ONE major theme of a novel or play that we read as a class while also exploring a historical connection for that theme.

14. To Kill a Mockingbird thematic speech
Your task is to give a two minute thematic presentation. The first minute should be to convey one of the thematic news summaries that you read, providing the source citation and a thorough, yet succinct, summary since your audience may not be informed. After the minute mark, you will attempt to explain the connection that you saw in To Kill a Mockingbird. Use the transition: this news story connected to Harper Lee’s novel when… From there, you should provide a specific incident in the story that conveys a similar message that create, illustrating how timeless themes (and TKaM) can be.