The MCAS Writing Prompts
Big Book Bank:
Lord of the Flies, Othello, Beowulf, Canterbury Tales,
Harry Potter, Twilight.
Beside each question – write the book that you could use to answer the question…
I
2009: Works of literature often feature characters whose pride or selfishness
creates problems. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a
character whose pride or selfishness creates problems. In a well-developed composition,
identify the character, describe how the character’s pride or selfishness creates problems, and
explain how the character’s experience relates to the work as a whole.
II
(2008): In many works of literature, a character must adjust to life in a new
environment. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character
who must adjust to life in a new environment. In a well-developed composition, identify the
character, describe how the character adjusts to life in a new environment, and explain how
the character’s adjustment relates to the work as a whole. Works of literature often feature
III
(2007): Characters who overcome hardship and misfortune. From a work of
literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who overcomes hardship and
misfortune. In a well-developed composition, explain how the character overcomes adversity
and why this success is important to the work of literature.
IV
(2007 Retest): Often in works of literature, characters have a mixture of positive
and negative traits. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a
character that blends positive and negative traits. In a well-developed composition, identify
the character, and describe how the character demonstrates both positive and negative traits.
V
(2006): Works of literature often feature characters with the ability to inspire or lead
others. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character with
the ability to inspire or lead others. In a well-developed composition, identify the
character, describe how the character inspires or leads others, and explain why this
character’s ability is significant to the meaning of the work of literature.
VI
(2006 Retest) Works of literature often feature characters that question the values of
the societies in which they live.
VII
(2005 Test) Often works of literature include characters that change as a result of
a particular event... identify the character, the event, and the importance of the character's
change to the work of literature
VIII
(2005 Retest) : From a work of literature you have read, select a character that is
honorable; identify the character, describe what makes her/him honorable, and explain why
the character's honor is important to the work of literature
IX (2004): Heroism can mean different things to different people. Literature is full of
characters that can be considered heroic. From a work of literature you have read in or out of
school, select a character that, in your opinion, is heroic. In a well-developed composition,
identify that character and explain why he or she is heroic.
X
2003: The protagonist is the main character in a work of literature who often
changes in some important way by the end of the work. From a work of literature you have
read in or out of school, select a protagonist who changes in some important way by the
end of the work. In a well-developed composition, identify the protagonist, and explain why
the protagonist changes in some important way by the end of the work.
XI
2003 Retest: In literature as in life, people can make choices and must live with the
consequences of those choices. From a work of literature you have read in or out of school,
select one character who makes a choice. In a well-developed composition, identify the
character’s choice and explain what happens as a result of this choice.
8 new possible prompts; place the book you’d use beside it
1) Journey. A character that goes on a journey.
2) Bravery – a character that is brave. Essentially, if they repackage the hero essay.
3) Sacrifice – a character who sacrifices something.
4) Kindness - a character who helps others
5) A character that learns a lesson
6) A character that must deal with a conflict.
7) A character that makes a discovery
8) A character that must take a risk