English 10 Honors
Summer Reading Essay Assignment
Due Date: Monday September 23
Choose one of the following prompts:

Throughout Tobias Wolff’s memoir, firearms come into play during various parts of his experience. In an essay
of five paragraphs, identify three specific instances wherein firearms play a role in Wolff’s life and explain the
significance of each of those scenes.

In many ways, this novel is an exploration of the significance of the relationship between a father and son. In an
essay of five paragraphs, choose three father/son relationships that are presented in the novel and for each
example, explain what you believe Wolff is trying to suggest about the importance of fathers in the life of their
children.

This novel is of a genre commonly called “coming of age” novels. In a coming-of-age novel, a protagonist
experiences a life-changing experience that transforms them from a boy into a man, from a child into maturity.
In an essay of five paragraphs, explain how Tobias changes over the course of the narrative.

This prompt is intended for students who read Tom Sawyer in middle school. In class, we discussed how, in
many ways, Tobias Wolff perceives himself as a modern day Tom Sawyer. In an essay of five paragraphs, identify
three specific episodes in the life of Wolff that are similar to events in Tom Sawyer.
A few requirements and reminders:
 Your paper must include at least three direct quotations from the novel. Remember that a quote must be
followed by a parenthetical citation, and must be “tagged.” A “tag” is a type of introduction that puts the quote
in context. Look at this example:
After an attempt to appease his mother, Tobias writes, “My self-mastery seemed like an act” (Wolff 55).
Tag
Quote
Citation
 Maintain a strictly objective tone by avoiding 1st and 2nd person point of view
 When writing summaries of literature, always write in the present tense.
 A five paragraph essay should begin with an introductory paragraph, end with a conclusion paragraph, and
should have three “body” paragraphs of support in between, each with a specific and unique topic. The last
sentence of your first paragraph is called your “thesis,” which is what you are going to prove in your paper.
 Don’t forget a works cited page. It will only have one work on it: This Boy’s Life.