Brooke
English 9B
Mrs. Threinen
17 April 2025
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Outline
I. Introduction
“
- Hook: Write out your full hook here. Choose one of the following options:
- Question (NO yes-or-no questions)
- Definition
- Startling statistic (cite--put where you found the information)
- Quote
- Paint a picture (Imagine…)
- Background information:
- Connect/explain your hook (key words)
- Include the author AND title of the novel
- John Steinbeck
- Of Mice and Men
- Published in 1937
- ONE (or more) strong statement about the novel as a whole. The following are ideas you can discuss:
- Mention major themes
- Mention major conflicts
- Its depiction of the time period
- Characters
- Setting
- Introduce your specific topic (mention key words that connect to the prompt you’re choosing).
- Thesis statement: Write your entire thesis statement here-- this should be the edited complete sentence you turned in previously!
II. Body Paragraph One
A. Topic sentence: (write out in full)
B. Introduce quote: (Context: what is happening at time of this quote that is to follow; key words)
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)
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?)
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)
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)
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?)
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)
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)
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
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?)