Hoot

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. Roy is on the bus when he first sees Mullet and appears to be fascinated by him.

• Why is Roy interested in learning about the running boy? (topic sentence)
• Provide three reasons about why Roy is interested in the running boy and how he attempts to connect with him.
• In your concluding sentences, judge whether Roy’s interest in Mullet dissipates upon meeting him or if he continues to be fascinated by Mullet throughout the novel. Explain your rationale.

2. When Roy and Beatrice initially encounter one another, Beatrice threatens Roy.

• What is Beatrice’s reason for disliking Roy when she meets him? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Beatrice threatens Roy, whether her threat is justified, and why she later becomes Roy’s friend.
• In your concluding sentences, summarize how Beatrice changes throughout the story.

3. When Mullet is injured, Roy registers him under his name at the hospital.

• Why do Roy’s parents choose not to punish Roy for his deception? (topic sentence)
• Explain what Roy tells his parents about Mullet that prevents him from getting in trouble and why Roy’s parents are not angry with him.
• In your concluding sentences, evaluate whether Roy does the right thing and explain your rationale.

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. Curly and Delinko both take steps to protect the construction company. Explain how the two characters are pawns in other people’s plans, using evidence from the text. Why do you think Curly acts like he does when discovering the owls? How is it different from Delinko’s reaction to the owls? What realization causes Delinko and Curly to reject the construction company’s plans?

2. Roy’s relationship with his parents often prevents him from taking too many risks to support Mullet’s campaign to save the owls. Write an essay that explores Roy’s relationship with his parents, using specific evidence from the text. Do his parents change by the end of the novel? Does Roy? Why?

3. Describe three actions Roy takes that help Mullet’s case against the restaurant corporation. How does each of his actions help to stop the corporation’s plans? Analyze why it is so important for Roy’s actions to be lawful, keeping him out of trouble, as he helps Mullet.