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. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

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

1. One of the opening poems in the book, “other people’s memory,” shows how Woodson’s early self-concept was defined by others.

• How does Woodson shift toward defining herself in her own terms over the course of the book? (topic sentence)
• In what ways does Woodson’s desire to define herself manifest throughout the book?
• How does this relate to the overall themes of the memoir?

2. Names are an important part of Woodson’s memoir, and her desire to become a writer begins with writing her own name.

• Why are names significant to Woodson? (topic sentence)
• What specific moments in the book call attention to names, and what do they mean?
• How are names tied to Woodson’s desire to write down her family history and her own journey?

3. Throughout the memoir, Woodson identifies with various figures in the civil rights movement.

• How does Woodson’s own journey draw from the history going on around her? (topic sentence)
• What does each figure represent to her and her growth?
• How does Woodson think of herself in relation to these figures at the end of the memoir?