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 novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Jessie struggles with making friends and understanding what other people are thinking.

• How does Jessie change in these areas during the story? (topic sentence)
• What does Jessie do and say, and what do other characters do and say, that shows Jessie is changing? Give at least three examples and explain why these examples demonstrate growth from Jessie.
• Finally, discuss in your concluding sentence or sentences how Jessie’s growth relates to the book’s theme of resolving emotional conflict.

2. This book contains a lot of advice about starting a business--but not everyone wants to start a business. How might the book’s advice about business also apply to other kinds of activities in a person’s life, such as school, sports, volunteering, and so on?

• What is one activity besides starting a business that the book’s business advice could also apply to? (topic sentence)
• What are three pieces of business advice from the book that apply to this activity, and why do they apply?
• Finally, describe in your concluding sentence or sentences how the book’s theme of best business practices can be applied to life outside of the business world.