Sample Outlines: To Kill a Mockingbird

Choice #1: Character Analysis

I. Introduction: author, title, thesis statement, how Scout changes, briefly why

II. Trait #1 (beginning)

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

III. Trait #2 (beginning)

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

IV. Trait #1 (end)

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

V. Trait #2 (end)

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

VI. Why Scout changes

VII. Conclusion: what is Lee saying through Scout’s character?

Choice #2: Mockingbird Theme

I. Introduction: author, title, thesis statement, explain the theme and mention symbolic mockingbirds (see model intro)

II. Scout & Jem’s first exposure to the mockingbird rule (p. 90 quotation). The don’t really understand it

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation (p.90)

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

III. Symbolic mockingbird: Tom Robinson. You may want to discuss how Jem understands the mockingbird rule here, but Scout does not yet get it

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

IV. Roly poly scene or Symbolic mockingbird: Helen Robinson

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

V. Symbolic mockingbird: Boo Radley. You may want to dicuss how Scout begins to understand the rule here.

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

VI. Conclusion: Lee’s message, the theme’s importance to the novel as a whole

Choice #3

I. Introduction: author, title, thesis statement, explain theme, mention “The Gray Ghost”

II. Scout & Jem’s first judgements: see Boo, Dolphus, and Mrs. Dubose as _______ . Be sure to integrate a quotation or two into your paragraph

III. Scout and Jem realize the truth about Dolphus and Dubose

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)
Intro to the quotation (context)

e. Quotation or specific example

f. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)

IV. Scout realizes the truth about Boo

a. Topic sentence

b. Intro to the quotation (context)

c. Quotation or specific example

d. Reflection/analysis (3 to 4 sentences)
Intro to the quotation (context)

V. The Gray Ghost story wraps up the theme and concludes the novel (could combine with conclusion)

VI. Conclusion: Lee’s message through this theme. What is the problem with prejudice? How is racism one piece of the overall problem in our society?