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. The plot of Big Mouth & Ugly Girl is driven by various choices characters make in the novel.

• What mistakes are made by major characters in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Select three characters and explain how each of them made mistakes and why they made them.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how the characters experienced growth because of the mistakes they made.

2. Matt and Ursula develop a relationship throughout the novel because of their shared experiences.

• How are Matt and Ursula alike and different? (topic sentence)
• Compare Matt’s and Ursula’s personalities, family life, and personas.
• In your concluding sentences, explain whether you think Matt and Ursula’s relationship is based on their similarities or their differences.