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. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

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

1. Margaret-Olemaun repeatedly reads and loves the famous book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Fatty Legs briefly discusses the major plot points of Carroll’s story and mentions some of the important characters, like Alice and the Queen of Hearts.

• How does Margaret-Olemaun’s experience mirror Alice’s? How does it differ? (topic sentence)
• Select details from the text that parallel Alice’s story. Consider both plot and character development when selecting examples. Explain how each one is similar and/or different from Carroll’s text.
• In your conclusion, describe what you think Olemaun learned from her experience.

2. Margaret-Olemaun talks about “the outsiders” throughout the book.

• Who are the outsiders, and how do the outsiders reveal their unfamiliarity and disdain for the traditional ways of life in Indigenous homelands? (topic sentence)
• Select examples from the text that support the historical background information you received about residential schools, their purpose, and other indigenous people’s experiences there.