English 10

To Kill a Mockingbird Mock Trial

Criterion D: Using Language
IRP: A4 & C4
In Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is on trial for the rape of a white
woman, Mayella Ewell. In the novel, Atticus Finch defends Robinson, sending the own in
an uproar and making prominent the issue of racism.
For the sake of this assignment, you will have one of the following 3 roles:
Jury Member: One of your responsibilities as a member of the jury is to create a one
page newspaper article revolving around the events leading up to the trial. This article is
to take up to of a page (font size is to be no larger than 16), is to include an image, and
2 quotes from existing characters in the novel. This will be handed in at the beginning of
class on Tuesday, Feb. 10, before the Mock Trial- I want you to pay attention during the
trial, not writing your article. Your second responsibility as a member of the jury is to
come up with a verdict. You must listen during the trial (and take notes if you need to),
and make a decision based on the side with the strongest arguments and presented the
best evidence.
Character from the novel: If you are given a role in the trial as a character, your
responsibilities lie before, during, and after the trial. Before the trial, you are to educate
yourselves on the characters you will be taking the stand as. You will be provided with a
Character Card, which will include facts about the case and the basic knowledge that you
will need to know. But you are to also look at information you have gained in the reading
of the first 16 chapters and prepare answers to questions you anticipate the lawyers to ask
you. During the trial, you are to be that person- you leave your own opinions of the case
outside of the classroom and answer questions directed at you as your character would.
After the trial, you are to write a page reflection on your work for this assignment,
answering the following questions:
1) How did it feel to take the stand as your character?
2) What did you do to prepare for your role?
3) If you were on the jury, what would your verdict be? Why?
This reflection is due the next class, Thursday, Feb. 12.
Legal Team Member: There will be two legal teams of three students (one for Tom
Robinson and one for Mayella Ewell). Your responsibility if you are on these teams are o
create:
1) An opening statement
2) Questions for those taking the stand (Both prepared in advance or come up with
on the spot during the trial)
3) A closing statement

Because of your prominence during the trial (both prep and quick thinking on the day of),
you do not have a written portion for this assignment, other than your question sheet right
after the mock trial. Before the trial, you will be provided the Character Cards for those
taking the stands, with the facts you need to know. This should help you form questions
and gain a better understanding of the case without digging through the novel.
I will play the role of the judge. My responsibilities are:
- Keeping order in the court
- Ensuring time limits are kept
- Making a judgment call in the case of a hung jury.
Trial format:
Call to Order (3 minutes)
Opening Statement: Prosecution (3 minutes)
Opening Statement: Defense (3 minutes)
Statements from characters: Tom Robinson, Mayella Ewell, Heck Tate, Bob Ewell (3
minutes each, followed by 2 questions from each legal team)
Closing Statement: Prosecution (up to 5 minutes)
Closing Statement: Defense (up to 5 minutes)
Criterion D: Using Language
(0)
I have not
achieved a
standard
described by
any of the
descriptors to
the right.

Beginning (1- Developing (3- Accomplished (5- Exemplary (72)

4)
6)
8)
I am able to:
use a limited
range of
appropriate
vocabulary and
forms of expression

I am able to:
use an adequate
range of appropriate
vocabulary, sentence
structures and forms
of expression

I am able to:
use a varied range of
appropriate vocabulary,
sentence structures and
forms of expression
competently

I am able to:
effectively use a
range of appropriate
vocabulary, sentence
structures and forms
of expression

write and speak in

an inappropriate
register and style
that do not serve
the context and
intention

sometimes write
and speak in a
register and style
that serve the
context and intention

write and speak

competently in a
register and style that
serve the context and
intention

use grammar, syntax

and punctuation with
some degree of
accuracy; errors
sometimes hinder
communication

use grammar, syntax

and punctuation with a
considerable degree
of accuracy; errors do
not hinder effective
communication

write and speak in a

consistently
appropriate register
and style that serve
the context and
intention

spell/write and
pronounce with
some degree of
accuracy; errors
sometimes hinder
communication

spell/write and
pronounce with a
considerable degree
of accuracy; errors do
not hinder effective
communication

use grammar,
syntax and
punctuation with
limited accuracy;
errors often
hinder
communication
spell/write and
pronounce with
limited accuracy;
errors often
hinder
communication

make some use of

appropriate nonmake limited
verbal
and/or
communication
inappropriate use techniques.
of non-verbal
communication

use grammar, syntax

and punctuation with
a high degree of
accuracy; errors are
minor and
communication is
effective

spell/write and
pronounce with a
high degree of
accuracy; errors are
minor and
make sufficient use of communication is
appropriate non-verbal effective
communication
techniques.
make effective use
of appropriate nonverbal communication
techniques.

techniques.