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RESPONDING TO THE BIG QUESTION:
Is it our differences or similarities that matter most?
At this point, you have read the following texts related to our study of Anne Frank:
· The Diary of Anne Frank (the play)
· Excerpts from Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank’s diary)
· Excerpt from Anne Frank Remembered (memoir by Miep Gies)
· Excerpts from This Star Won’t Go Out (selections about and by Esther Earl)
· Excerpt from The Fault in Our Stars (novel by John Green)
Now is the time to think critically and respond thoroughly in writing about your thoughts on these texts.
Writing Prompt:
Respond to the Big Question: Is it our differences or similarities that matter most? We have been reading texts
about young people who are known for being different. These people are separated from others because of
conditions that they cannot control and even decisions that they can. Do you think that these differences are
what matter, or do you think it is their similarities with other humans that matter most? Using evidence from
the texts we have been studying, respond to the Big Question and argue your position.
You will write an 8+ sentence paragraph that meets the following requirements:
Requirements
STRUCTURE:
 Writer composes an 8 sentence paragraph (thesis, 3+ points with explanation
sentences, & conclusion).
 Writer follows basic paragraph conventions including indenting, writing in
complete sentences, and using proper capitalization and punctuation.
EVIDENCE:
 Writer uses textual evidence from at least 3 of our common texts to support
his/her argument.
 Writer includes at least 2 paraphrases and 1 direct quote as textual evidence.
 Writer uses correct parenthetical citation for each text used.
ARGUMENT:
 Writer thoughtfully explains how each piece of evidence used helps argue
his/her thesis statement.
 Writer’s explanation sentences are logical, specific, and persuasive.
TOTAL:
Point Value
___ / 5 X 2
___ / 5 X 3
___ / 5 X 3
_____/ 40 POINTS
Questions to Consider:
 What makes Anne, Esther, Hazel, and even Miep different? What “labels” them? What distinguishes
them from others in the texts we have read? (In addition…remember being different isn’t necessarily a
bad thing! What makes these young people stand out from others?)
 What possible similarities might these young people have with any other young person, including you?
 What seems more important--The qualities/conditions that make these young people different or the
qualities/conditions that make these young people similar to other human beings?
Questions to Consider
Your Thoughts on These
Questions
Textual Evidence that Supports
Your Thoughts
What makes Anne, Esther, Hazel,
and even Miep different? What
distinguishes them from others in
the texts we have read?
(
).
(
).
(
).
What possible similarities might
these young people have with any
other young person, including you?
What seems more important--The
qualities/conditions that make
these young people different or
the qualities/conditions that make
these young people similar to
other human beings?
Reflect on what you have just done. Decide what your position is (circle one):
Our differences matter most.
OR
Our similarities matter most.
Your thesis statement will begin with your position. Then, you will need to state why you support this position
in one complete thought.
Thesis Statement: _________________________________ matter most because ________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________.
This thesis statement will be the first sentence of your paragraph. After that, prove that thesis statement by
using textual evidence that supports your position. Remember, after each piece of cited evidence, you need to
write an additional sentence in your own words that clearly and specifically explains how that evidence proves
your position.