All American Boys

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. Rashad is directly affected by systemic racism in the novel.

• Generally, in what way do character reactions to the assault demonstrate the prevalence of systemic racism? (topic sentence)
• Select at least 3 prominent characters in the story and analyze their reactions to the assault. How do the actions of each chosen character contribute to the theme of The Challenges of Combating Systemic Racism?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate the extent to which individual character reactions represent the overall community response to the catalyst event.

2. Quinn struggles with his personal feelings about Paul after witnessing Paul’s actions.

• How does Quinn come to terms with Paul’s actions? (topic sentence)
• Select at least 3 plot points that focus on Quinn’s internal and/or external struggle regarding his stance on Paul’s actions. Explain how each plot point connects to his decisions and changed perspective.
• In your conclusion, explain the consequences of Quinn’s final stance and summarize how his actions contribute to the theme of The Challenges of Combating Systemic Racism.

3. Quinn uses the phrase “all-American” when describing himself, and at the end of the novel, implies that Rashad should one day be recognized as all-American, too.

• What does Quinn mean by the term “all-American?” (topic sentence)
• Provide 3 examples from the novel that demonstrate Quinn’s and/or society’s perspective on what constitutes a designation of “all-American.” Regarding the theme of What It Means to Be All-American, how is irony evident in the novel?
• In your conclusion, evaluate the author’s use of the term “all-American” and express its impact on the message of the novel.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Quinn is highly influenced by two friends and their opposing viewpoints: Jill and Guzzo. Compare these characters’ perspectives, discussing the reasoning behind their views and the outside influences that may have affected them. Then, analyze their actions with cited examples; evaluate the effects of their actions on Quinn’s beliefs and decisions; and connect their actions to the theme of The Challenge of Combating Systemic Racism.

2. The novel ends with the march and “die-in” protest, attended by both Quinn and Rashad. Selecting either Rashad or Quinn, consider their perspective on the attack toward the beginning of the novel and how their views change by the end because of The Power of Protests, among other reasons. Cite or paraphrase plot points from the text that reflect the changes in perspective for your chosen character and analyze why and how their beliefs shifted.