SpringBoard 5.22To Kill a Mockingbird

Analyzing Atticus’s Closing Argument

Strategy: S.M.E.L.L.

DirectionsO As a group:

O you will complete a close-reading of Atticus’s closing argument focusing on one aspect of persuasion

O you will record your insights and findings on chart paper to share with your classmates

O you will compose an analytical statement the represents your group’s focus and the effect of the persuasive tactic

Group #1O Your group will analyze the Sender-Receiver

Relationship:O Identify the sender (speaker)O Identify the receiver (audience)O Identify the subjectO What is the relationship between the speaker

and the receiver? O Whom does the speaker mean to influence with

the closing argument? O What attitudes and assumptions does the

audience hold towards the subject? Towards the speaker?

Group #2O Your group will analyze the Message:

O What is the speaker’s/sender’s message? Summarize the main points of the closing argument by outlining the entire closing argument with main points and sub points

EX: I. Main Point

i. Sub Point #1ii. Sub Point #2iii. Sub Point #3

Group #3O Your group will analyze the

Emotional Language: O Does the speaker/sender use any

statements that are meant to get an emotional reaction from the audience/receiver?

O What is the desired effect?O You must provide direct quotations

from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

Group #4

O Your group will analyze the Logical Strategies: O Does the speaker/sender use any

statements or appeals that are logical?

O How does the logic (or its absence) affect the message?

O You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

Group #5

O Your group will analyze Language: O Look for specific words and short

phrases used the by the speaker/sender, and consider how the language (diction) affects the message?

O You must provide direct quotations from the text with page numbers to support your findings.

Group #6O Your group will analyze the Elements of an

Argument: O Identify the hook – sentence or phrase that grabs the

receiver’s attention and establishes a connection between the sender and receiver

O Identify the claim – a clear and straightforward statement of the sender’s belief and what is being argued

O Identify concessions and refutations – restatements of arguments made by the other side and the speaker’s points opposing those viewpoints

O Identify support – reasons behind the argumentO Identify the summary/call to action – closing

statement with a final plea for action

Group #7O Your group will analyze the cinematic

interpretation of Atticus’s speech: O Watch Atticus’s closing argument on the laptop

(1:31:39 – 1:38:57), following along in your book.O Record the following:

O What images does the director present to the audience in this scene?

O What images does the director consciously choose NOT to present to the audience?

O What did you notice about the relationship between the speech and the images?

O What changes or deletions did you notice in Atticus’ s speech?

O How do the director’s choices and changes to the text of the speech affect the overall message?

Group #8O Your group will analyze how Atticus’s

argument relates to one or more of the themes in the novel: O Based on Atticus’s closing argument,

what is Harper Lee trying to communicate to the reader about justice and equality?

O What other lessons can the reader take the incident of the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird? (come up with at least 3 others)