A Raisin in the Sun Writing Assignment
Date Due:
Length: minimum 700 words.
Requirements for FINAL draft:
-
Typed or neatly handwritten in blue or black ink; Double-spaced.
A title page with a meaningful and original title.
MLA format (yes, this includes a Works Cited page); Rough draft (your answers to the questions
below and the chart) to be included. No rough draft? The assignment will not be accepted.
Feedback Review sheet
Include heading with name, date, and block in upper right corner
Must have an effective title that does not just name the text being discussed.
Choices:
Option 1: Explore and discuss the title of the play, A Raisin in the Sun. Symbolically, each character
thinks of his/herself as ‘a raisin in the sun.’ Pick three characters and explain how the title relates to
their dreams and what becomes of them. (Hint: Think about the poem "A Dream Deferred.")
Option 2: Within the Younger household, there are three generations of women. Compare and contrast
how these characters each form their unique identities. (Hint: think about what each woman stands for,
what each woman does with her time, etc.)
Option 3: Many critics assert that the art of Hansberry's play is that it is less about race than about
humanity. Discuss the universality of the struggle that appear in the play. Is the play as relevant now as
it was when originally released? Why or why not?
Option 4: Throughout the course of the story, the Younger family is aboard an emotional roller coaster.
By the end, Walter Lee decides to move into Clybourne Park despite the racial conflicts hanging in the
balance. Is this a happy ending? Why or why not?
Option 5: Select a character from A Raisin in the Sun and then offer an analysis of this character. Your
character analysis should take the form of an essay. Below are questions your analysis should/can
answer. Do not feel that all of these questions must be answered; use these questions as a springboard
for your analysis. However, please note: “Once you have answered the questions, you will still need to
organize your thoughts into a coherent essay with a clear thesis. The purpose of these questions is to
generate material to go into such an essay; simply recording the answers in sequence does not make a
finished paper. “
Questions to Consider for your Character Analysis:
1. Give your initial reaction to the character by completing the following sentence: “{Name of
Character} in {Name of Work} is . . .”
2. What is the character’s function in the story (is the character a major or minor character)?
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3. What does the character do that shows he/she fits the description you have given?
4. What does the character say that shows he/she fits the description you have given?
5. How do other characters react to your character? How do their reactions show he/she fits the
description you have given?
6. Do you think that the character is stereotypical in some way? If so, does the character rise above
the stereotype and how is this accomplished?
7. What [does the playwright] say about your character that shows he/she fits the description you
have given?
8. Is there any evidence that suggests the character does not fit the description you have
given? What is it? How do you explain this evidence?
9. What are the character's strengths and weaknesses? Does the character overcome any of
his/her weaknesses in the story?
10. What are the character's motivations (needs, interests, desires, fears, and goals)? Also look at
the education, occupation, environment, economic status, family background, race, sex, and age
of the character. How do these two sets of factors affect and shape the character's personality,
situation, and actions?
11. Study the external and internal forces that affect, influence, challenge, motivate the character.
How do these forces impact the character's personality, outlook, or choices?
12. Does the character change over time? How?
[questions are adapted from the following source:
Hastings, A. Waller. “Questions for Papers on Character Analysis.” April 11, 2001. Northern State
University. February 26, 2003. <http://www.northern.edu/hastingw/character.htm>]
Writing Reminders
 Begin with a thesis statement that asserts one idea and takes a clear and firm stand. This statement
should inform the reader of what your paper will prove.
 In your own words, provide three supporting details (facts, reasons, examples, or details) to prove
the thesis statement.
 Provide context when introducing your quotations (in other words, tell who the speaker of each
quotation is)
 Use quotations from the story to enhance supporting details.
o Quotations should accurately strengthen the point being made in the paragraph and
should show how that point relates to the thesis statement.
o Quotations should be about concepts/ideas. They SHOULD NOT simply report what
happens in the story (plot exposition).
o Quotations SHOULD NOT simply repeat what writer has already explained in his/her
own words.
o Quotations do not have to be dialogue (words that a character speaks to another
character). They absolutely can be, and usually will be, from the narrator and/or from
stage directions.
 Properly punctuate quotations by surrounding with quotations marks and following with page # in
parenthesis. Ending punctuation comes after parenthesis.
o Eg: Ralph writes his friend, “It's the only life, Billy--the straight one” (5).
 End with a concluding statement that does not sound repetitive but does reinforce the ideas in the
thesis.
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 Include transition words and phrases, especially when introducing supporting details.
 Avoid first person (“I,” “in my opinion,” etc) and second person (“you”) – focus on discussing the
characters and the story.
o When these pronouns are in the quotations you’ve chosen, leave them there.
 You will start your first paragraph, with a clarifying sentence that gives background information
about the play.
 In each body paragraph, follow your quotation with elaboration that explains the
significance/importance of what was said in the quotation.
 End each body paragraph with a concluding sentence that explains how the supporting detail and
quotation do in fact prove that your thesis statement is true.
 Arrange body paragraphs in chronological order.
o Body paragraphs should be arranged so that they discuss the text using the order of
events as they happened in the text.
 Use present tense verbs consistently throughout your essay.
o WRONG WAY:
Walter’s dream in A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, was deferred because his
family did not support him. He wanted to become a rich and successful business owner,
so he decided to buy a liquor store.
o
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RIGHT WAY:
Walter’s dream in A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, is deferred because his
family does not support him. He wants to become a rich and successful business owner,
so he decides to buy a liquor store.