Megan Gilson 19

To Kill a Mockingbird Writing Adventure

There are many moments in To Kill a Mockingbird when we do not get the full perspective on
events happening in Maycomb, but only the story as told through Scouts point of view, which is
limited by her age. As a result, we as readers must work to fill in the storys blanks and interpret
for ourselves what truly happens.
In this narrative, you will add to Harper Lees vision as you fill in these blanks, telling a part of
the story through another characters eyes.
Goal: In this essay, you will select a character from To Kill a Mockingbird (other than Scout)
and narrate one to two important moments through their eyes. These moments must reveal
justice or injustice in the town of Maycomb, and how this character perceives what is happening.
Step 1: Character Organizer
Select a character from the following list (Scout is excluded), and begin to fill out the
Character Organizer as your read the book. You may, of course, change your mind about
which character you select, but keep in mind that you must have this organizer completed
by the due date.
Atticus Finch
Jem Finch
Tom Robinson
Bob Ewell
Mayella Ewell
Due: (SAMPLE)
Step 2: Pre-Writing Organization
Using what you know about the character from the Character Organizer, select one to two
moments (using your Post-it notes) from the novel that provide an opportunity for your
character to expand the readers view of what really happens in the story, allowing the
reader to see their perspective on an issue of justice/injustice. Be sure to select a moment
in the text that will allow you to insert a rich narrative into the story.
Please include page number(s) for the scene(s) in which you are planning to add your
narrative.
Create a plan for your narrative, listing two potential scenes and a paragraph explaining
how your character would respond in each situation. Be sure to use your Character
Organizer for ideas about how they might respond.
Outline due: (SAMPLE)

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Step 3: First Draft
1. Using your outline and Character Organizer, write your narrative.
2. Then, utilizing the comment feature in Microsoft Word/Google docs, reveal your
decision-making, considering the following questions:
Why did you choose that particular moment?
What do you know about the character that would cause them to
act/react/interpret the scene in that way?
Hint: Use context clues throughout the book that reveal how the
character thinks and responds to different events, and then apply
them to this event.
Due: (SAMPLE)
Peer revising in class: (SAMPLE)
Step 4: Final Draft
Due: (SAMPLE)
Logistics:

Three page minimum

Double spaced
12 pt, Times New Roman font
Name, Date, Subject, and Hour in the top right corner
Cite sources in MLA format (www.easybib.com)

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Grading:
Your Character Organizer and Writing Planner will be graded on completion and effort, and the
following scale applies to the final draft of your essay.

Always
(A)
Character and scene
selection
are appropriate and
demonstrate a wellinformed
understanding of
the text.
Narrative provides a
fresh perspective on
the scene, revealing
new information
through this
characters
perspective.
Narrative addresses
how the character
interprets, reacts to,
or responds to a
justice or injustice
in the town.
Essay adheres to
logistics, is
submitted on time,
and has been
proofread (free of
spelling and
grammatical
errors); source is
cited in MLA
format.

Mostly
(B)

Sometimes
(C)

Rarely
(D)

Never
(E)