Introduction

Introduction
Lesson 1: First-Person Narration

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (29 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 2: In-Scene, Out-of-Scene

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (19 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 3: Mannerisms and Manners

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (26 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 4: Pacing

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (29 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 5: Convincing Description

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (18 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 6: Symbolism

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (23 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 7: Tim Johnson, Part 1

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (31 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 8: Tim Johnson, Part 2

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (21 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 9: Engaging the Reader's Judgment

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (21 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 10: Revealing Gestures

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (25 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 11: The Ewells

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (31 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 12: Dialogue as Action

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (25 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 13: Showing and Telling in the Courtroom

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (22 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 14: Manners (Again)

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (24 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 15: Big Ideas

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (16 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 16: Seeing from the Character's Perspective

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (27 min video)
2. Writing Exercise
Lesson 17: Reality as a Source of Fiction

2 Steps
1. Watch Lecture (24 min video)
2. Writing Exercise

Writing Through To Kill a Mockingbird Introduction

Lesson 1 of 18

In Progress

Jonathan Rogers, PhD

Welcome to Writing Through To Kill A Mockingbird. You are about to learn a lot about writing—not just from a rulebook, but from a masterpiece of American fiction taught by a master-teacher.

The first question we get from users of the course is “Do I need to read the book along with the course?”

The answer to that is…it depends.

For instance, Jonathan will present a passage of the book, and then analyze it from a writer’s perspective. He’ll provide the immediate context of the quotation, but won’t recap the whole plot of the books at any specific point.

If you’ve read To Kill A Mockingbird at some point in the past and it resonated with you (how could it not?), then Jonathan’s selection of passages and themes in the work will bring the plot to your mind. You should be able to enjoy the course and maybe dip back into chapters that are referenced in specific lessons.

If you are using this course to supplement an English credit, you could (re-)read the book and maybe keep a journal while you watch the videos. Then, complete the Supplemental Writing Exercise. That way you get the benefit of the literary study alongside the creative writing class.

To keep up with the videos while you read the novel, we recommend the following plan:

Lesson 1: Chapters 1-2
Lesson 2: Chapters 3-4
Lesson 3: Chapters 5-6
Lesson 4: Chapters 7-8
Lesson 5: Chapters 9-10
Lesson 6: Chapter 11
Lesson 7: Chapters 12-13
Lesson 8: Chapter 14
Lesson 9: Chapter 15
Lesson 10: Chapters 16-17
Lesson 11: Chapter 18
Lesson 12: Chapter 19
Lesson 13: Chapters 20-21
Lesson 14: Chapters 22-23
Lesson 15: Chapters 24-25
Lesson 16: Chapters 26-28
Lesson 17: Chapters 29-31

All to say, there are a couple of ways to enjoy this content. Now get started!