Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations

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 graphic memoir over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Everyone has different ideas about what it means to be American, and Mira explores this question in her memoir.

• Mira Jacob believes that everyone in America deserves the right to be an American. What does being an American mean to you? (topic sentence)
• Detail your opinion on what it means to be an American; then examine how Mira Jacob answers this question, drawing on text details.
• In your conclusion, briefly summarize the ways your opinion and Mira’s compare.

2. Mira Jacob’s memoir details her life from the from her childhood to adulthood. During the writing of her memoir, she learns and grows from her reflections.

• How does Mira grow from the time she begins writing her memoir to its conclusion, and what/who facilitates this growth? (topic sentence)
• Identify Mira’s outlook and self-image in the memoir’s exposition, in the middle of the narrative, and at its conclusion. Compare Mira’s attitude at each of these points and determine what led to the changes she experiences.
• In your conclusion, examine the end of Mira’s memoir in which she is on her way to Florida. Does Mira still have growing to do?

3. Z and his parents have many difficult conversations.

• To what extent does Mira employ honesty in answering Z’s questions? (topic sentence)
• Choose a conversation between Z and his parents and describe Mira’s level of honesty. Include whether you think Mira handled the conversation appropriately or not, and what you would have done differently.
• To conclude, discuss an experience you had as a child in which you had a difficult conversation with someone you love and how it impacted your understanding of its topic.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Mira’s memoir includes the depiction of several historical events, such as 9/11 and the 2008 and 2016 elections. In 3-5 paragraphs, reflect on what you have learned by conducting your own research about the way history impacts how people relate to each other in the present. Which other historical events in American history have contributed significantly to the continuous presence of racism against people of color, and how do these events shape the way people view each other?

2. During the Trump election and presidency, many Americans found themselves amid rifts and disconnections with family and friends, just like Mira’s experience with Jed’s parents. In 3 main paragraphs, answer the following: Why did Trump’s election cause such a massive divide, how did it affect families, and what can Americans do to begin closing the gap? You may decide to include your own personal experiences here as well.

3. Look back on your life in America so far, Mira’s memoir, and major events related to race that have taken place in recent years. Do you think race relations have improved in America or worsened? In an essay of no less than 500 words, defend your answer with evidence from the memoir, your own research, and your personal experiences.