8th Grade English – 2015 Summer Reading & Essay Assignment – Due September 1, 2015
Letters from a Slave Girl: The Story of Harriet Jacobs
by Mary E. Lyons
Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery; it's the only life she has ever known. After the death of
her mistress, Jacobs became the property of the Mistress’s niece (age 3). For all practical
purposes, she belonged to Dr. Norcom, the father of her mistress, and a cruel, willful individual. Now, with the
death of her mistress, there is a chance she will be given her freedom, and for the first time Harriet feels
hopeful. But hoping can be dangerous, because disappointment is devastating. Harriet has one last hope,
though: escape to the North. As she faces numerous ordeals, this hope gives her the strength she needs to
survive. Based on the true story of Harriet Ann Jacobs, Letters from a Slave Girl reveals in poignant detail what
thousands of African-American women had to endure not long ago. It's a story that will enlighten, anger, and
never be forgotten.
Directions: After Reading Letters from a Slave Girl, select ONE of the topics below and write a 600-700
word essay in response. Please follow all formatting and content directions.
1. Discuss some specific examples of what Harriet did for her freedom. Use details and a few lines of textual
support (direct quotes from the book). Next, answer this question: How could your freedom be threatened and
what would you do to protect your freedom?
2. Many people in history have been oppressed and even forced into hiding. Discuss some of the strategies
Harriet used to help her survive this ordeal. Use specific examples, and lines of textual support. Next, imagine
you could send Harriet a letter while she was in hiding, what advice would you give her?
3. One reviewer wrote this about Letters from a Slave Girl: As I turned every page I could not help but feel as if
I was living life beside this Slave Girl in the 1830's. The author of this book took me deep into the life of young
girl name Harriet Jacob, where I did not experience her life from the outside, but from her personal place
where all her thoughts and true feelings were hidden… Discuss the different literary devices and techniques the
author, Mary Lyons, used to help make this feeling possible. What strategies worked best? Make sure you use
textual support (a few direct quotes), to help support your ideas.
Requirements
 Minimum 600 words, maximum 700
 MLA requirements: typed, double space, 12 point font, title, and heading
 Three lines of textual support – brief, but purposeful, direct quotes from the novel. Using textual support
well is an important skill to learn. You never want direct quotes to outnumber or overpower your own
words. Instead, they should support your ideas.
 Interesting, attention getting introduction, which helps provide a preview of your essay
 Essay organized logically into paragraphs.
 Conclusion that wraps up and summarizes your ideas without being too repetitive
 Evidence of careful proofreading. Any errors are minimal and never distract from your content.
 Please print out your essay BEFORE you come to class on September 1, 2015.
 We will complete a turnitin.com submission together; this is an important requirement in order to
receive a grade – so make sure you can locate your essay on your computer.