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. Fleischman repurposes many parables in Seedfolks, updating these classic tales for the modern reader. Choose 1 parable as the focus for this essay.

• In what ways does Fleischman change the parable lesson or form? (topic sentence)
• Identify and explain at least 2 differences between the chosen parable and the events and characters in Seedfolks, considering narrative elements such as structure and message.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss why Fleischman might have changed the parable in this way.

2. Fleischman relies on symbols and motifs to connect the characters’ individual challenges and experiences to those of the greater neighborhood. Choose 1 symbol or motif as the focus for this essay.

• How does the transformation of this symbol or motif throughout the novel connect a character or characters to the larger story? (topic sentence)
• Describe the ways in which 1 or more characters interact with this symbol or motif throughout the story, citing at least 2 separate passages.