Boy21

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. Throughout the novel, many of the characters make sacrifices for each other.

• Select and write about one character who makes an important sacrifice for their peer/loved one. (topic sentence)
• What is the motivation for this character’s sacrifice?
• In your closing sentence or sentences, summarize how this sacrifice links to The Importance of Friendship.

2. Finley’s identity is very much linked with his role on the basketball team.

• How does being on the basketball team provide him with a sense of belonging? (topic sentence)
• Discuss three examples of how his identity is intertwined with basketball.
• In your closing sentence or sentences, explain how his identification as a basketball player helps him escape from reality.

3. Consider the descriptions of external factors throughout the novel, such as race, gender, and appearance.

• How are physical appearances important descriptors throughout the novel? (topic sentence)
• Select one character and identify three ways in which Finley describes her/him.
• How does the focus on the Body relate to the novel’s coming-of-age theme? Summarize in your closing sentence or sentences.

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. Analyze Finley’s relationship with Coach. How does this power dynamic work? Does Coach’s relevance as an authority figure shift throughout the novel? If so, how and why?

2. Erin, Russ, and Finley all have complicated family lives. Select one of these characters and analyze and discuss the following: What role does family play in the novel for this character? How does family shape the decisions and motivations of this character?