A Raisin in the Sun Response to Literature Essay
The main theme that connects “A Raisin in the Sun” to “A Dream Deferred” is the idea of dreams being
deferred or put off until later. Dreams are set aside and sometimes forgotten about by the following characters:
Mama, Beneatha, and Walter. You will write this essay in-class on Monday 12/5 or Tuesday 12/6. You will
have one hour to write this essay, so it is important to prepare ahead of time.
The title of Lorainne Hansberry’s play makes a direct reference to the Langston Hughes poem, “A Dream
Deferred.” “What happens to a dream deferred?” asked Hughes. “Does it shrivel up like a raisin in the sun?”
Consider the conclusion of "A Raisin in the Sun"—or lack of one—and write a response to literature essay on
"A Raisin in the Sun" in which you analyze what happens to the various characters’ deferred dreams.
Assignment: Write a five paragraph essay answering the prompt below.
Prompt: What happens to Mama, Beneatha, and Walter’s deferred dreams?
Discuss what happens to the various characters’ dreams. Feel free to use references to the poem we analyzed
earlier this week. Support your claims with specific quotations from the play.
Introduction
 Your introduction must be 3-5 sentences long.
 You must begin with a general opening that introduces the topic and direction of the paper, and moves
in a logical manner, connecting the ideas to a specific thesis statement.
 Your thesis statement must specifically answer the prompt, presenting the central idea of the essay in
one clear sentence at the end of the introductory paragraph.
Three body paragraphs
 Each body paragraph must be 5-7 sentences.
 Each body paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that references the thesis statement and includes
the specific topic to be discussed in that paragraph.
 Each topic sentence must be supported with quotations from the novel, and explanations of how each
quote supports the point.
 All body paragraphs must be free from random comments and ideas that do not support the topic
sentence.
 Each body paragraph is wrapped up with a concluding sentence.
Conclusion
 Your conclusion must be 3-5 sentences.
 Your conclusion must start with a reworded version of the thesis statement.
 Your conclusion needs to wrap up the essay without repeating points already made in the essay—move
on to broader ideas, and connect points of the essay with the real world.
Sentence by Sentence Outline:
I.
Intro hook . book info. Quick summary. Thesis statement
II.
Body #1 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
III.
Body #2 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
IV.
Body #3 topic sentence. Evidence (quote). Explain quote. Transition.
V.
Conclusion restate thesis statement . Make your point . Connect to people/world
Fill in this outline to help you organize your thoughts. You may use this while writing your in-class essay.
Paragraph
#1—
Introduction
Sentence Needed
Hook
Book Info
Quick Summary
Thesis Statement
#2—Body
Paragraph #1
Topic Sentence
Evidence (Quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#3—Body
Paragraph #2
Topic Sentence
Evidence (quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#4—Body
Paragraph #3
Topic Sentence
Evidence (quote)
Explain the quote
Transition
#5—
Conclusion
Restate the Thesis
Statement
Make your point
Connection to the
real world
Your Sentence