SpringBoard 5.22 To Kill a Mockingbird

1. SpringBoard 5.22To Kill a Mockingbird Analyzing Atticus’s Closing Argument Strategy: S.M.E.L.L.

2. Directions • As a group: • you will complete a close-reading of Atticus’s closing argument focusing on one aspect of persuasion • you will record your insights and findings on chart paper to share with your classmates • you will compose an analytical statement the represents your group’s focus and the effect of the persuasive tactic

3. Group #1 • Your group will analyze the Sender-Receiver Relationship: • Identify the sender (speaker) • Identify the receiver (audience) • Identify the subject • What is the relationship between the speaker and the receiver? • Whom does the speaker mean to influence with the closing argument? • What attitudes and assumptions does the audience hold towards the subject? Towards the speaker?

4. Group #2 • Your group will analyze the Message: • What is the speaker’s/sender’s message? Summarize the main points of the closing argumentby outlining the entire closing argument with main points and sub points EX: • Main Point • Sub Point #1 • Sub Point #2 • Sub Point #3

5. Group #3 • Your group will analyze the Emotional Language: • Does the speaker/sender use any statements that are meant to get an emotional reaction from the audience/receiver? • What is the desired effect? • You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

6. Group #4 • Your group will analyze the Logical Strategies: • Does the speaker/sender use any statements or appeals that are logical? • How does the logic (or its absence) affect the message? • You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

7. Group #5 • Your group will analyze Language: • Look for specific words and short phrases used the by the speaker/sender, and consider how the language (diction) affects the message? • You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

8. Group #6 • Your group will analyze the Elements of an Argument: • Identify the hook – sentence or phrase that grabs the receiver’s attention and establishes a connection between the sender and receiver • Identify the claim – a clear and straightforward statement of the sender’s belief and what is being argued • Identify concessions and refutations – restatements of arguments made by the other side and the speaker’s points opposing those viewpoints • Identify support – reasons behind the argument • Identify the summary/call to action – closing statement with a final plea for action

9. Group #7 • Your group will analyze the cinematic interpretation of Atticus’s speech: • Watch Atticus’s closing argument on the laptop (1:31:39 – 1:38:57), following along in your book. • Record the following: • What images does the director present to the audience in this scene? • What images does the director consciously choose NOT to present to the audience? • What did you notice about the relationship between the speech and the images? • What changes or deletions did you notice in Atticus’ s speech? • How do the director’s choices and changes to the text of the speech affect the overall message?

10. Group #8 • Your group will analyze how Atticus’s argument relates to one or more of the themes in the novel: • Based on Atticus’s closing argument, what is Harper Lee trying to communicate to the reader about justice and equality? • What other lessons can the reader take the incident of the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird? (come up with at least 3 others)