Name:_______________________________ P#:________

Directions: Read and annotate Atticus’ Closing Arguments from To Kill a Mockingbird

HELP Annotation Requirments (locate, label, and comment on the following):

H= hook (comment on how he draws in his intended audience

E= ethos (How does he establish his authority?)

L= logos (What logic is present? How does it influence his message?)

P= pathos (What quotes show his appeal to emotions? What type of emotional response is he aiming to achieve?)
AFTER YOU HAVE FINISHED READING/ANNOTATING: Use textual evidence + your own analysis to
complete the SELL’EM analysis below (you may need to refer to your notes for guidance):

S (sender/receiver):

E (ethical strategies):

L (logical strategies):

L (language):

E (emotional strategies):

M (message):
 Final Analysis

Overall Analysis- Write 1 paragraph that argues whether or not Atticus’ closing arguments are
persuasive/impactful (or not). Identify what specific rhetorical strategies/appeals HELP or HINDER his
overall message. You must support evidence of the strategies you discuss with direct quotes from his
closing arguments.

*WRITING TIP: NEVER DIRECTLY STATE “ETHOST, PATHOS, OR LOGOS” IN YOUR ANALYSIS. BE MORE
SPECIFIC! SEE EXAMPLES BELOW:

Avoid: Atticus uses heavy pathos when he argues “…”

IMPROVED Version: Atticus heavily appeals to his audiences’ emotions of guilt and shame when he
argues “…”

Avoid: Atticus uses logos when he states “…”

IMPROVED Version: Atticus appeals to the jury’s awareness of logic when he includes data that states
“…”

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