Nightjohn Essay Topics I. Nightjohn Themes INSTRUCTIONS

Nightjohn Essay Topics I. Nightjohn Themes INSTRUCTIONS: Pick three of the following themes and find one or two examples of each theme in the text...

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Nightjohn Essay Topics I. Nightjohn Themes INSTRUCTIONS: Pick three of the following themes and find one or two examples of each theme in the text. Explain how each example demonstrates the theme. Then, answer the questions listed on this sheet under each theme. Prejudice Is it ever right for one individual to own another, or for one group of people to be denied equal rights because they are different in some way? Getting Along with Others Slave owners such as Clel Waller used fear and intimidation to control their workers. Are these methods appropriate or effective? How might the story of Nightjohn been different if Waller used other methods (such as rewards for good behavior) for maintaining control? Freedom Nightjohn had gone north and was free, but returned to the South to help others gain freedom by teaching them how to read and write. How do the slaves and slave owners value literacy? Leadership Nightjohn is viewed as a leader among the slaves because of his efforts to help them. What does it take to be an effective leader? Who else in the story might be considered a leader (for better or worse)? Bravery There are many instances in Nightjohn when the slaves show their courage bravery. However, not all slaves are brave in the same way. What are some different ways that a slave could be brave? What role does bravery play in the abolition (or destruction) of slavery? II. Nightjohn Characters INSTRUCTIONS: Pick one of the following characters and come up with three adjectives to describe that character’s personality. Find one or two examples of each characteristic. In your conclusion (final paragraph), include a description of how the character develops over the course of the novel. Sarny—Nightjohn—Delie—Waller—Alice—Jim—Pawley—Missus

Nightjohn Essay Requirements 

You must complete the prewriting graphic organizer BEFORE you write your essay. _____I completed my graphic organizer. _____I stapled my graphic organizer to the back of my essay before I turned it in.



Your essay MUST be typed: _____My essay is not larger than 12 pt. font _____My essay font is easily read… not just “pretty” _____My margins are 1 inch. _____My lines are double-spaced. _____I did NOT skip extra lines between paragraphs. _____I only indented each paragraph ONCE.



Your essay must have FIVE PARAGRAPHS in the following order: _____I wrote an introduction for my essay. _____I started my introduction with the phrase, “Nightjohn, a novel written by Gary Paulsen, …” _____I have a thesis statement as the last sentence of my introduction. _____I have a first body paragraph that begins with a topic sentence. _____I have a second body paragraph that begins with a topic sentence. _____I have a third body paragraph that begins with a topic sentence. _____My topic sentences use directional words (Ex: First, Another, Finally) _____I have a conclusion for my essay. _____The first sentence of my conclusion restates my thesis statement in new words. _____My conclusion summarizes and analyzes my main points. _____Each paragraph is 5-10 complete sentences.