COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENT             English 8         Mrs. McDee

Composition:               #4

Due Date:                     Rough Draft due Thursday, 3/7 (A) & Friday, 3/8 (B) in class                                                               

                                    Final essay due Monday, 3/10 by All by Break in the basket

Topic:                          Four paragraph character  sketch of any character other than Scout Finch from the                                                

                                                novel To Kill A Mockingbird

                        USE PERSONALITY TRAITS NOT PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES.

Assignment:    Write a four-paragraph essay describing TWO character traits displayed  by any character other than Scout Finch (see my example) in relation to the theme of prejudice. (That means that you need to relate the TWO character traits displayed by your chosen character to the prejudicial theme portrayed in the novel.)

Requirements: 1)A well-developed introductory paragraph as done in the past. (REFER TO YOUR FUSCHIA BOOK)        

                                    Sentence #1-General statement

                                    Sentence #2-Title, author, and name of character you will be writing about

                                    Sentence #3-More specific sentence leading to & dealing with thesis idea

                                    Sentence #4-Thesis statement

                                                Concise and clearly stated sentence which includes mention of the TWO traits to be dealt with in the essay and how they relate to                                                         the theme of prejudice shown in the novel.

                        2) Each body paragraph should begin with a clearly stated topic sentence

                                    Topic sentences should state the characters name and the trait to be dealt with in that paragraph and how it relates to the                                                                               prejudicial theme..

                                    Topic  sentence for the second body should also include a transitional word or phrase joining the idea from the first body to the                                                                        second one.

                                    Give AT LEAST ONE example from the novel which supports the character trait you have chosen for that paragraph and how

                                                it relates to the theme.

                                    Conclusive sentence for each body should stick with the point made only in that paragraph and summarize what was said in the                                                                         paragraph.

                        3) Conclusive paragraph should begin with a restatement of thesis, summary of what was said in the body paragraphs and end

                                                with a restatement of the general idea stated at the beginning of the introduction.

            **SEE EXAMPLE******SEE EXAMPLE*******SEE EXAMPLE*****SEE EXAMPLE**

                        4) Use appropriate vocabulary, present tense, and third person.

                        5) DO NOT USE slang, contractions or TO BE verbs.

                        6) Use correct heading and TITLE your essay creatively.

                        7) Type or compute the essay.

                        8) This essay will be conferenced.                     

                        9) Essay is worth 100 points/ revision will be worth 100 points.

 

 

             *****GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK***GOOD LUCK****

 

LeLe Murphy

 

Mrs. McDonald

 

English 8-3

 

10 March 2008                          

 

Coping with Prejudice

 

            The thoughts and personalities of children are often affected by the pressures and viewpoints found n their communities. Scout Finch, the narrator of the griming novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, falls victim to this theory.  Growing up in the incredibly prejudice town of Maycomb, Alabama, her father, who she admires greatly, seems to be the only one who would even think of offering assistance to a Black man. As shown during situations when the prejudice of Maycomb is most prevalent, Scout Finch has proven to be an exceedingly courageous and curious young lady.

            On many occasions, Scout demonstrates that she is especially courageous for a young girl. In the extremely intense situation when a mob arrives at the jailhouse porch in hopes of capturing Tom Robinson, Scout demonstrates the bravery necessary to force the mob to place themselves in Atticus’s shoes. She finds Mr. Cunningham, the only face she recognizes, and attempts to have a conversation with him, despite the uneasy and anxious mood of the moment. Scout displays courage even in times of real danger caused by the prejudicial attitude of the townspeople.

            Although Scout is clearly brave in the face of prejudice, she is also very curious about the new ideas and language it has brought into her life. A time when this characteristic portrays itself clearly is when Scout comes home from school and asks Atticus what the term “nigger” means. Her curiosity motivates her to find out more and more about the prejudicial attitude and what it means as it continues to appear in her life. Her irrepressible curiosity impels her to attend Tom Robinson’s trial where she observes firsthand the power of prejudice. It is apparent that Scout  is a curious individual as shown through her interest in the prejudicial attitude she observes in the people around her.

            Facing a prejudicial environment, Scout Finch displays the characteristics of courage and curiosity throughout the novel. She reveals her courage by defusing an awkward and dangerous situation with her casual chatter. Also, Scout exhibits her curiosity about prejudicial feelings by asking about the term “nigger”. Children’s personality traits are often displayed as a result of injustices found in their communities.