This document provides topics for presentations on a novel. It lists 3 kinds of topics: thematic topics that focus on close readings of the text, research topics that examine historical context, and social justice topics that apply the novel's lessons to current issues. For each type of topic, it provides example options to choose from for a presentation. The document instructs readers to star the topics they are most interested in and choose one to present on.

1. Topics for
Presentations
On your handout, place stars by the topics you
are most interested in.

2. Choose one of three
kinds of topic:
Thematic Topics -- focus on a close reading of
the text
Research Topics -- focus on historical
information
Social Justice Topics -- applying the lessons of
the novel to today

3. Thematic Topics
What are the repeated elements in this book?
What are its important themes?
Choose one and look closely at what the novel
implies about it.

4. Portraits of Courage

5. Loss of Innocence

6. Sympathy for the Devil

7. The Ethics of Atticus
Finch

8. Gender Roles

9. Parents, Good and
Bad

10. Research Topics
What is the historical context for this book?
Research a topic that influenced it or was
influenced by it.
How have people responded to the novel?

11. The Lees of
Monroeville

12. The Scottsboro Boys

13. Banning
Mockingbird

14. The Novel as a
Political Act

15. Social Justice Topics
What issues here, today, are as controversial as
racism was in the American South in the 1930s?
What lessons can we draw from the novel that
would apply to the current controversies?

16. Islamophobia

17. Homophobia

18. Speciesism

19. Poverty

20. Disability

21. The Environment

22. Time to choose!
You may work with a partner if you wish.