When I Was the Greatest

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. Throughout the story, both mothers (Doris and Janice) are often away from the house.

• Despite this similarity, how do they differ as parents? (topic sentence)
• Offer at least three points of evidence from a variety of places in the story that explain how they differ as parents and role models for their children.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize what the author might be trying to say about different family structures and the theme of The Complexities of Defining “Family.”

2. In the final chapter, Ali comments, “It felt like in those two or three days I had changed, or at least part of me had changed, somehow.” (Chapter 16)

• How has Ali’s character changed over the course of the novel? (topic sentence)
• Use at least one piece of evidence from the beginning chapters and one piece of evidence from the ending chapters to highlight the change seen in Ali.
• Then, in your concluding sentences, evaluate whether this change is for the better or worse; provide a brief rationale.

3. Many adult characters in the text comment on Noodles’s “tough guy” exterior.

• Why is it that Noodles feels he needs to carry on this fake persona? (topic sentence)
• Discuss at least three points of evidence to support your analysis of Noodles, specifically from times when he fails to follow through on his threats or behaviors.
• Ultimately, summarize the lesson readers can draw from Noodles’s behavior as it relates to the theme of Fear of Embarrassment.

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. Although most of this story takes place in the neighborhood of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, the main characters visit other neighborhoods as well. Pick one of the neighborhoods that they visit (e.g., Tasha’s neighborhood) and compare its description to the one of Bed-Stuy. Cite specific instances of imagery or setting commentary from our narrator. How do these neighborhoods differ? What is the author most likely saying about The Effects of Inequality on the African American Experience?

2. Consider the parallel drawn early in the story between Noodles and Ali’s father, John. Pick one way in which they are similar and analyze it in detail. Then, consider how their stories end. What is the reader most likely supposed to assume Noodles’s future looks like based on the parallels? Is there hope for change in Noodles? Cite specific evidence to support your conclusions.

3. After the fight, Malloy gives Ali the advice that “[p]unching bags don’t punch back. But sometimes, when you take them for granted, and you get cocky, you can really hurt yourself when you punch one.” (Chapter 13) In a structured essay, explain what Malloy means by this advice. Use evidence of the relationship between Noodles (the puncher) and Needles (the punching bag) as support in your analysis.