2.4 2.4 Produce a crafted and Produce a crafted and controlled piece of writing.controlled piece of writing.   Task 1: Empathic WritingTask 1: Empathic Writing

To Kill A Mockingbird

Empathic means EmpathyEmpathic means Empathy

Empathy means being able ‘to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.’ To be able to understand what they are thinking, feeling and experiencing.

In a sense, empathic writing asks you to ‘be them’, to write as though you are that character/person.

When you are writing your empathic task, you must show SOUND KNOWLEDGE of the work studied.

What does this mean?

It means that you should really understand how your character functions – how would he/she react in a certain situation?

You also need to refer to key moments and incidents in the story. This will show that you know the novel well.

You MUST not just retell the story.

Summing upSumming up

- You will be asked to consider a particular moment in the text through one of the character’s eyes.

- To complete this task successfully you will need to show knowledge of the incident concerned, what has led up to it, what happens to the character later and detailed knowledge of the text and the character.

- You will need to fully understand and be able to interpret a character, use the character’s usual responses and show an overall understanding of how the character behaves in the text as a whole.

- The style adopted must be suitable to the character. For example, Atticus and Bob Ewell and Scout would all use quite different language. Try and think of any phrases a particular character might use.

- You must write as the character, therefore using the first person narrative – not ‘If I were Jem, I would....’ but ‘I am so angry at the decision of the court…….’

  

Key points:Key points:

First person narrativeShow comprehensive knowledge of the textShow knowledge of a particular character’s roleShow a character’s likely reactionsUse a suitable style (language)Show crafted and controlled writing which

develops, sustains, and structures your ideas.Show crafted and controlled writing to create the

desired effect.Use writing conventions accurately

EmpathyCircle

Empathy circle

Empathetic writing: planning grid

When you empathise with a person or a character you try to see the world through their eyes. You should also attempt to imagine how they would feel and express yourself as they might.

FACTS

FEELINGS

What happened?

Plot

Who was involved? Character

When and where did it happen?

Setting

Why did it happen? Theme

About yourself? What about the

other people who are

involved?

Help with how to answer the Help with how to answer the questions.questions.

1. You are Atticus, on your way to the opening day of the trial of Tom Robinson. Write your thoughts.

Consider that: Atticus is a man of great courage and avoids all prejudice. He is determined that Tom Robinson will receive a fair trial. He will have thoughts about how he can play his part, the hatred and prejudice he will face and the stance he will have to take on Tom’s behalf. He will no doubt be thinking of the safety and well-being of his family and be concerned that they are not adversely affected by the consequences of the trial. There are numerous examples of Atticus’s voice throughout the novel. These must be captured to communicate Atticus’s qualities and worries for his family.

Help with how to answer the Help with how to answer the questions.questions.

2. You are Dill, having just returned home after the first summer in Maycomb, thinking about your childhood games and adventures with Scout and Jem. Write your thoughts.

  Consider that: Dill (Charles Baker Harris) spends his summers in

Maycombe with his aunt and gets up to various mischievous antics with the Finch children. He particularly seems to relate to Scout. He is inquisitive, quick-thinking and inventive. It is Dill who suggests the Boo Radley escapade. He seems fearless and ready for any challenging experience and manages to persuade others to join him. Those who can capture Dill’s characteristics in his voice and give his perception of the children’s various adventures and daring pranks should be well rewarded. There are hints that Dill’s unstable family life contrasts sharply with the more secure and loving life led by the Finches. Those who are able to fold this feature of Dill into their responses should be suitably recognised for so doing.

Choose one of these questionsChoose one of these questions

1. You are Atticus, on your way to the opening day of the trial of Tom Robinson. Write your thoughts.

2. You are Dill, having just returned home after the first summer in Maycomb, thinking about your childhood games and adventures with Scout and Jem. Write your thoughts.

3. Imagine you are Jem after the verdict at Tom’s trial has been delivered. Write your thoughts and feelings.

4. You are Scout, standing on the Radley porch after you have escorted Boo home. Write your thoughts.

5. You are Tom Robinson, inside Enfield Prison Farm after the trial. Write your thoughts.

6. You are Bob Ewell, on your way home from Maycomb after having met Atticus at the post office. Write your thoughts

7. Miss Maudie says, “There are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father is one of them. You are Miss Maudie, sitting on your porch thinking deeply about Atticus and the events of the trial. Write your thoughts.

8. You are Aunt Alexandra after hosting the tea-party for the meeting of the missionary circle, thinking about your relationship with your niece, Jean Louise. Write your thoughts.

What do I do?What do I do?

Read through the list of topics Discuss them in your groups – how would you answer

them?Choose the question that suits you – it might be because

that is the character that you can relate to the most or it is an incident that you are most familiar with.

◦ Draft a statement of intent: I am going to write an empathic piece of writing as

if I am Atticus. I am going to get across the fact that I am feeling…..

Brainstorm your ideas. What was the character thinking or feeling at this time? What does the character feel about the events and other characters?

Look for the particular incident in your text. Read it over again. Take notes. Write down any quotes that you might use (in your own words and first person of course) Are there special words or ideas which are repeated by the character?

Plan your piece of writingWrite honestly as that person would speak or

think or relate, using their languageRefer back to the 2.4 assessment criteria

instructions (handout) for detail of how the piece is assessed and other relevant instructions.

Note:Note:

This piece of work is for your writing portfolio, so does not have to be a finished version. It is better that you take time to plan in detail and draft a ‘shell’ that could be improved later in the year;

With each of the tasks, there is scope for some creativity, but don’t get side-tracked from the key points – the focus is the persona and their thoughts/feelings at that specific time.