A Raisin in the Sun Essay Prompts- Choose 1 essay prompt to
carefully construct as your final paper for this class. You will be
working on this paper mostly at home, but will have time in class to
peer-edit. Your essay should be 2-3 pages in length. All essays should
be in correct MLA format, printed before turned in, and proofread
thoroughly!! Essays are due:
A Day Classes- Tuesday, June 10th for peer-edit
Thursday, June 12th FINAL DRAFT
B Day Class- Wednesday, June 11th for peer-edit
Friday, June 13th FINAL DRAFT
PROMPT OPTIONS:
1. AMERICAN DREAMS ESSAY – ONE CHARACTER.
In a well-developed five (5) paragraph essay discuss how one of the characters in A Raisin in
the Sun helps develop the theme of dreams. In each body paragraph provide textual support (at
least two quotes per paragraph) to illustrate the character’s personality traits and explain how
these traits affect his/her own dreams (or the dreams of others around him). This means you will
have three [3] body paragraphs that will each discuss a different personality trait. In the
conclusion discuss what one can learn about pursuing or deferring dreams from your character’s
experiences in the play.
AMERICAN DREAM ESSAY OUTLINE – You need not stick to this exactly. This is just to
give you an idea of the structure, not to place you in a straightjacket!!!!!!!!!
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
 Opening hook sentences (2) – to get reader interest. Related to topic or theme of
dreams, but does not get into the specific details.
 Development sentence – work in author and title.
 Development sentence – basics of the story.
 Development sentence -- more story basics.
’s American dream
is affected by the personality traits of
 Thesis –
, and
.
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
 Topic sentence – One personality trait that affects his/her dream is
 Development – further explanation to make idea clear.
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
.
,
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next one.
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
 Topic sentence – Another trait that strongly affects his/her dream(s) is
 Development – further explanation to make idea clear.
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next on
BODY PARAGRAPH THREE
 Topic sentence – The final character/trait that affects his/her dream(s) is
 Development – further explanation to make idea clear.
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next one.
.
.
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
 Thesis restated (in slightly different words) – _ ______’s dream(s) are
strongly influenced by__
,
____, and _________.
 Development sentence -- comment further.
 Development sentence – apply play’s wisdom to life outside of the play
 Development sentence – general statement, expanding on last idea.
 Clincher sentence – leave reader with powerful final thought.
2. THREE AMERICAN DREAMS – DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME
* In a well-developed five (5) paragraph essay choose three of the main characters (Mama,
Ruth, Walter, Beneatha, and Asagai) and discuss their dreams. Then compare and contrast
those dreams; how are they similar, how different. Finally, discuss what larger point
Hansberry seems to be making about the power of the American Dream.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
 Opening hook sentences (2) – to get reader interest. Related to topic or theme of
dreams, but does not get into the specific details.
 Development sentence – work in author and title.
 Development sentence.
 Development sentence.
,
, and ____ show us that, despite
 Thesis – The dreams of ___
great obstacles, the American Dream is still possible.
BODY PARAGRAPH ONE
 Topic sentence – One of the characters with a dream is .
 Development sentences (2-3) – discuss their dream.
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next one.
BODY PARAGRAPH TWO
 Topic sentence – Another character with a strong dream is
 Development sentences to clarify the dream (2-3).
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next one.
.
BODY PARAGRAPH THREE
 Topic sentence – The final character who possesses a powerful dream is
 Development sentences to explain the dream (2-3).
 Development – into quote explanation.
 Development – quote.
 Development – comment on the quote, further clarifying idea.
 Transition – sentence tying this paragraph to the next one.
.
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
 Thesis restated (in slightly different words).
_
,
, and
are
characters with powerful dreams, who show us that, despite difficulties and obstacle, the
American Dream is still possible. (This is only a suggestion; put it in your own words).
 Development sentence – comment further.
 Development sentence – apply play’s wisdom to life outs ide of the play
 Development sentence.
 Clincher sentence – leave reader with powerful final thought.