Essay questions and Ideas - Snow Falling on Cedars
It is preferable that you think of a topic, create the question, and then write the thesis statement,
however; if you need some inspiration I have provided some questions and ideas to consider.
Essay Questions:
1. What dramatic purpose does the snowstorm serve? How does Guterson relate the storm to his
narrative?
2. Does Ishmael’s decision to bring the lighthouse evidence to Judge Fielding’s attention represent a
major development in Ishmael’s character? What is the significance of Ishmael’s decision?
3. The novel presents several different codes of behavior, each associated with a different character.
What are some of these codes and how do they differ? What is behind the behavior?
4. Considering the demographics of San Piedro’s population, what is ironic about the prejudice
against Japanese immigrants and their descendants? How does Guterson develop this irony?
Ideas:
What parallels can be draw from Snow Falling on Cedars and the following text:
The Scarlet Letter
Ethan Frome
The Crucible
_____________________________
If you create the topic, question, and thesis it is worth 20 bonus points.
Minimum five (5) paragraphs (Intro, body paragraphs, conclusion)
Scoring rubric
Thesis w/ reasons
30 pts.
_____
A logical topic sentence for each paragraph
25 pts.
_____
Evidence to support topic sentence
30 pts.
_____
Works cited page in MLA format
(Minimum three (3) sources)
20 pts.
_____
Two cited works in document
(Parenthetical documentation)
20 pts.
_____
Appropriate grammar/mechanics
30 pts.
155 pts.
_____
your total