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. Molly and Heather are stepsisters, but for most of the novel, they do not get along.

• Describe how Molly feels about Heather at the beginning of the novel. Why does she feel this way? (topic sentence)
• Detail 3 ways in which Molly’s feelings towards Heather change over the course of the novel. Why do you think Molly’s feelings change? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.
• Finally, discuss how Molly comes to see Heather as “a real, true sister” (Chapter 15).

2. Wait Till Helen Comes is a ghost story.

• Think about 1 or 2 other ghost stories you have read and consider the ways in which they are similar to Wait Till Helen Comes. How do Wait Till Helen Comes and similar ghost stories make the reader feel? (topic sentence)
• Describe 3 literary devices that Mary Downing Hahn uses to create the novel’s spooky atmosphere.