QUESTIONS ON “WINNERS, LOSERS OR JUST KIDS?”
THE FACTS
1. Who were “winners” when Wightman was in high school?
2. How did Wightman categorize himself and his friends? Why?
3. What event prompted Wightman to write this essay?
4. What curious “truth” did Wightman discover at this event?
5. Wightman says he and Paula got involved in a mischievous escapade, one which
they thought was foolproof. However, it backfired. What was it?
THE STRATEGIES
1. What is Wightman’s thesis? Is it stated or implied?
2. How does he prove his thesis?
3. What did Wightman learn about the so-called “winners” he envied in high school?
4. What is the difference between a winner and a loser, according to Wightman?
THE ISSUES
1. Does a person’s past determine how successful he/she will be in the future?
2. What determines whether or not a person will be successful?
3. Does Wightman’s essay disprove what many people think about who “winners”
and “losers” really are?
4. Does labeling a person really tell the whole story about him or her? Explain.
5. Why do so many so-called “losers” in high school finally become “winners?”
6. What is the crucial ingredient necessary to make a person successful?
7. How long does it take for so-called “losers” to reach their potential after high
school and achieve their goal(s)?
-1-