Brooke
English 9B
Mrs. Threinen
17 April 2025
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Outline
I. Introduction
Question: Can you truly know a person simply by looking at them?
1. Hook: Write out your full hook here. Choose one of the following options:
1. Question (NO yes-or-no questions)
2. Definition
3. Startling statistic (cite--put where you found the information)
4. Quote
5. Paint a picture (Imagine…)
2. Background information:
Include the author and title: Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
6. Connect/explain your hook (key words)
7. Include the author AND title of the novel
1. John Steinbeck
2. Of Mice and Men
3. Published in 1937
8. ONE (or more) strong statement about the novel as a whole. The following are ideas you can discuss:
1. Mention major themes
2. Mention major conflicts
3. Its depiction of the time period
4. Characters
5. Setting
9. Introduce your specific topic (mention key words that connect to the prompt you’re choosing).
3. Thesis statement: Write your entire thesis statement here-- this should be the edited complete sentence you turned in previously!
Thesis statement: Jem, Scout, and the reader learn that everyone is not always who they seem to be when you meet them.
II. Body Paragraph One:
A. Topic sentence: (write out in full)
Atticus seems calm and reserved, but uses his inner strength to help through his actions during the trial.
B. Introduce quote: (Context: what is happening at time of this quote that is to follow; key words)
Judge Taylor was questioning Atticus, and Atticus was questioning Sheriff Tate
C. Quote: (write out entire quotation you plan to use, with citation)
“Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? / Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name” (3.2.106-107)
“Did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody call a doctor?”
D. Analysis: (And explanation—what is this quote saying? Paraphrasing is helpful here. The analysis part is: WHY DO WE CARE? WHY DOES THIS MATTER? WHAT DOES THIS SHOW THE READER? HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO OR EMPHASIZE THE THEME IN THE NOVEL?)
Atticus and Judge Taylor want to know why Heck Tate didn’t call a doctor when, normally, that’s what someone would do when they see someone lying on the floor, beaten.
III. Body Paragraph Two
A. Topic sentence: (You should include some transition here—you reference a point in your previous paragraph. Write out in full)
Atticus is calm and uses his inner strength to help hide his true self to get through the trial because his kids are watching the trial and have only seen the calm side of Atticus.
B. Introduce quote:(Context: what is happening at time of this quote that is to follow).
C. Quote: (write out entire quotation you plan to use, with citation)
“...movin' him to the county jail tomorrow,” (165)
D. Analysis: (And explanation—what is this quote saying? Paraphrasing is helpful here. The analysis part is: WHY DO WE CARE? WHY DOES THIS MATTER? WHAT DOES THIS SHOW THE READER? HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO OR EMPHASIZE THE THEME IN THE NOVEL?)
This quote matters because it talks about an important part of the current conflict and the potential danger arising, and to make sure that everyone is safe regarding the trial.
IV. Body Paragraph Three
A. Topic sentence: (You should include some transition here—you reference a point in your previous paragraph. Write out in full.)
The news about moving Tom Robinson to the county jail connects to the scene of Heck Tate and a bunch of other men at Atticus’s front door because of the mob mentality and breakdown of justice.
B. Introduce quote: (Context: what is happening at time of this quote that is to follow).
This quote talks about how Scout was scared that Atticus would get hurt by Heck Tate and all the men in his yard.
C. Quote: (write out entire quotation you plan to use, with citation)
“They wanted to get you, didn’t they?” (166)
D. Analysis: (And explanation—what is this quote saying? Paraphrasing is helpful here. The analysis part is: WHY DO WE CARE? WHY DOES THIS MATTER? WHAT DOES THIS SHOW THE READER? HOW DOES THIS CONNECT TO OR EMPHASIZE THE THEME IN THE NOVEL?)
V. Conclusion
My hook asks, “Can you truly know a person simply by looking at them?”. The answer is no, you can’t, you have to get to know the person before you see who they truly are, and sometimes you don’t see who they truly are until it is too late.
A. Connection to hook (optional)
B. Connection to introduction/restatement of thesis (DO NOT COPY AND PASTE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT HERE)
C. Final thoughts (write out at least ONE full sentence here–what are you going to leave us thinking about?)
Why did the book end the way it did and why was “Boo Radley” so quiet about who he was and what he did?