9th Grade Essay Questions

You may use House of the Scorpion, Raisin in the Sun, To Kill a Mockingbird, or your independent reading book.

Choose One – you may come prepared with a 3×5 card that has specific quotes from the text, or an outline, or both, if you can write really small.

1. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “So we have come to cash this check.  A check that will give us the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”  Mama had a check for $10,000.  Compare Mama’s literal check to Dr. King’s figurative check.
2. In many works of literature, a character rebels against a role that others expect him or her to play.  From a book you have read this semester, select a character  who rebels against a role others expect him or her to play. In a well-developed  composition, identify the character, describe how the character rebels against others’ expectations, and explain how the character’s rebellion relates to the work as a whole
3. Works of literature often feature young characters who are in conflict with the adult world. From a book you have read this semester, select a young character who is in conflict with the adult world. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is in conflict with the adult world, and explain how the conflict relates to the work as a whole
4. Often in works of literature, a character is influenced by his or her family. From a book you have read this semester, select a character who is influenced by his or her family. In a well-developed composition, identify the character, describe how the character is influenced by his or her family, and explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole.

What I am looking for as I grade-

•  Is it too short, or too long?  (not less than three paragraphs, not much more than five) (3 pts)
• Is it clear and concise?  Do not tell me things I do not need to know.  (5 pts)
•  Does it have flow and structure; can I follow your argument from paragraph to paragraph?  (6 pts)
• Do you make direct reference to parts of the play(s) or  novels?  (i.e. scenes, specific characters,  quotations)? (8 pts)
• Do you have a clear introduction and conclusion? (6 pts)
•   Did you show some pre-writing?  (4 pts)
• Does the essay show a comprehensive understanding of the work we have done on this play or novel? (8 pts)

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