To Kill a Mockingbird

# Essay Prompt: *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee **Prompt:** In *To Kill a Mockingbird*, Harper Lee presents the idea that moral courage — the choice to act rightly despite social pressure and injustice — is the true measure of an individual's character. **Write a well-organized essay in which you discuss how Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus Finch to convey a central message about moral courage and justice in a deeply divided society.** In your essay, be sure to: - Introduce a clear, defensible thesis that highlights Atticus's role in expressing the novel's central theme. - Analyze **at least two specific scenes or passages** in which Atticus shows moral courage, explaining how Lee's literary techniques (such as characterization, dialogue, symbolism, or narrative perspective) support the theme. - Address a **counterargument**: consider whether Atticus's courage is ultimately effective or limited in light of the outcome of Tom Robinson's trial, and respond to that counterargument with evidence from the text. - Conclude by linking the novel's message about justice and courage to a broader human truth or contemporary relevance. **Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (approximately 600–900 words) **Scoring Focus:** Strength of thesis, quality of textual evidence, depth of analysis, and coherence of argument.

ap_lit · common_core_ela · gcse_english_lit · aqa

# Essay Prompt: *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee **Prompt:** In *To Kill a Mockingbird*, Harper Lee presents the idea that moral courage — the readiness to defend what is right despite social pressure and injustice — is the ultimate measure of a person's character. **Write a well-structured essay in which you discuss how Harper Lee employs the character of Atticus Finch to illustrate the theme of moral courage in the context of systemic racial injustice.** In your essay, be sure to: - Present a clear, defensible thesis that makes a specific claim about how Atticus exemplifies or complicates the novel's message regarding moral courage. - Support your argument with **at least three pieces of textual evidence**, analyzing how each supports your claim. - Address a **counterargument** — for instance, critics who argue that Atticus's courage is ultimately ineffective or that his paternalism detracts from his heroism. - Conclude by reflecting on the **broader significance** of Lee's message: what does the novel imply about the individual's duty to confront unjust systems? --- **Suggested Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (approximately 600–900 words) **Scoring Focus:** Thesis strength, quality of textual analysis, integration of counterargument, and coherence of argument.

ap_lit · ap_lang · common_core_ela · gcse_english_literature

# Essay Prompt: *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee **Prompt:** In *To Kill a Mockingbird*, Harper Lee presents the idea that true moral courage involves doing what is right, even when faced with societal, legal, or community pressures to do otherwise. Craft a well-structured essay using specific evidence from the novel to argue how Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson acts as Lee's primary means of illustrating and defining moral courage. In your analysis, explore how Atticus's actions confront the racial and social norms of Maycomb, the personal and professional sacrifices he makes, and the lessons his example imparts to Scout (and the reader) about justice and integrity. --- **Suggested Outline:** 1. **Introduction** – Provide context regarding the racial climate of 1930s Maycomb; present your thesis about Atticus as a symbol of moral courage. 2. **Body Paragraph 1** – Analyze a particular scene where Atticus stands against community expectations (e.g., the jailhouse scene, Chapter 15). 3. **Body Paragraph 2** – Investigate the trial itself (Chapters 17–21) as a demonstration of Atticus's dedication to justice over the outcome. 4. **Body Paragraph 3** – Discuss how Scout's narrative perspective influences the reader's understanding of Atticus's courage and its nuances or complexities. 5. **Conclusion** – Consider the broader implications: What does Lee convey about the connection between individual conscience and systemic injustice? --- **Minimum length:** 5 paragraphs / ~800–1,000 words **Textual evidence required:** At least **3 direct quotations** with proper citation

ap_lit · common_core_ela · gcse_english_lit · aqa