COMPOSITION ASSIGNMENT             English 8         Mrs. McDee

Composition:               #4

Due Date:                     Rough Draft due Tuesday, 31 March                                       

                                    Final, original due Friday, 4 April by All by Break in the basket

Topic:                          Four paragraph character  sketch of a character (other than Scout) 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 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) Use a participial phrase, a transitive verb in active voice and an infinitive in your essay.

                                    Underline & label them—PP, TV-A, and I.

                        10) 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

 

16 March 2007                          

 

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 gripping novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, falls victim to this theory.  Growing up in the incredibly prejudiced 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.

            Scout demonstrates courage when faced with her communities prejudicial beliefs. 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 shows that even in times of real danger caused by the prejudicial attitude of the townspeople, she is a very courageous individual.

            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.