Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Haley and Holly are best friends, but they have distinct personalities.

• What makes Holly and Haley unique individuals? (topic sentence)
• Describe the characteristics that make Holly and Haley unique. Then explain how their friendship encourages positive growth.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why the author chose to include Holly in Haley’s narrative.

2. Ms. Laverne plays a small but significant role in Harbor Me.

• What is Ms. Laverne’s role in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe Ms. Laverne’s character, the role she plays in the novel, and why she created the ARTT sessions.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what Ms. Laverne saw in her students that motivated her to form the ARTT sessions.