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 below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The Whipping Boy shows that even characters who have vastly different life experiences can become friends.

• How are Jemmy and Prince Horace initially shown to have different backgrounds and life experiences? (topic sentence)
• Identify three situations in which the prince reveals himself to be worthy of trust and respect, and changes Jemmy’s impression of him.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what the boys’ gradual friendship might say about class and social differences; connect the theme of Friendship Overcoming Differences.

2.  Jemmy’s early experiences as the son of a rat-catcher prepare him to protect himself and the prince during their adventures.

• What qualities does Jemmy develop early in life, living on the streets as the son of a rat-catcher? (topic sentence)
• Identify three incidents in which Jemmy displays a positive trait (such as courage or quick-thinking), and provide evidence as to how this trait helps him and the prince.