Name: __________________________________
The Color of Water, Black Boy, or Frankenstein Essay
Introduction
In all three of the novels, as the main characters search for meaning in life, they
face issues of alienation and/or isolation. These experiences are an integral part
in the characters’ search for identity. Many fictional characters undergo a
significant change or life-altering experience as part of their growth process.
What life lessons or other truths about human nature do these novels reveal?
Assignment
Write a literary analysis that explores a significant theme or large idea from your
novel. This could include an analysis of how the author shows a character’s
change, what the central theme of the novel is, what warnings about society the
novels makes, or any other topic worthwhile for a substantial essay. If you need
to, refer to the topic suggestions on the next page.
Structure
You might want to think of a five-paragraph structure, but feel free to expand on
that if you need to adequately explore your topic.
Intro: This should include a thesis, among other elements. It should clearly lay
out what you are going to argue.
Body: Provide analysis and supporting evidence. Mention several key events or
moments from the novel. Include two to three carefully chosen quotes to help
capture larger ideas from the novel.
Conclusion: Wrap up your argument and provide final thoughts or ideas related
to your main idea.
Requirements
Your essay should have the following things:
 A clear argument of opinion and purpose expressed in a thesis statement and
introduction.
 Numerous accurate supporting details and events from the novel that
directly backs up your opinions.
 At least two properly cited quotes from the novel.
 Accurate and insightful analysis of the novel.
 Generally correct grammar and mechanics.
Rough draft due _________ Final essay due _________
1. Identify a significant message about society you believe the author of the novel is
trying to get across. What issues and/or concerns are raised by the novel? Find
specific incidents and ideas from the novel that illustrate how these warnings are
conveyed and why. Use specifics and quotes from the novel to back up your claim.
2. What is the most important lesson or truth about life that the main character learns?
How does he/she learn it? What makes the lesson important? Develop a thesis that
clearly states the important learning by the main character and then make an
intelligent, reasoned argument to support your claims. Use specifics and quotes from
the novel to back up your ideas.
3. Write a letter to the publisher in which you provide your opinion on whether the
novel you read is appropriate for 10th graders. Decide what purpose the author was
trying to achieve and determine how successful he/she was. Your thesis should
answer whether 10th-graders should be required to read it, or not, and why?
Thoroughly explain your choice using quotes from the novel to back up your central
opinion.
4. What is the main idea or single most important theme of your novel? Explain what
the deeper meaning of the novel is. How is this idea developed from the beginning of
the novel until the end? Develop a thesis and make an intelligent, reasoned argument
to support your claims. Use specifics and quotes from the novel to back up your ideas.
5. Write a character analysis in which you discuss a main character’s strongest
motivations, the pressures he/she feels, and the way he/she grows or changes over the
course of the novel. Consider what the main character learns and discovers something
significant about the world or society he/she lives in. Develop a thesis and make an
intelligent, reasoned argument to support your claims. Use specifics and quotes from
the novel to back up your ideas.
6. Analyze some of the choices the author made in constructing the book. What are
some significant organizational or other choices the author made? Why did he or she
make those decisions? How do they help illustrate the central idea and/or purpose of
the novel? Develop a thesis and make an intelligent, reasoned argument to support
your claims. Use numerous specific examples and quotes from the novel to back up
your ideas.