Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider the meaning of the book’s title.

• What is important and meaningful about the title Amina’s Voice? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Amina’s voice relates to her identity and how changes in her ability to use her voice demonstrate that she is maturing. Give details from the story that support your ideas.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how the title’s meaning relates to the theme of Coming-of-Age for a First-Generation Immigrant.

2. Think about the parenting styles of Mr. and Mrs. Khokar.

• How are Mr. and Mrs. Khokar similar and different as parents? (topic sentence)
• Give three examples of moments in the story when Amina’s parents approach parenting in the same way, and then give three examples of moments when they approach parenting in different ways.