9th Grade Summer Reading
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
A dystopian novel by Ray Bradbury. The novel presents a future American society where
books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found.
Choose one of the following topics and write a five-paragraph essay using at least six
examples from the novel (at least four of which need to be direct quotations) to prove your
thesis. There should be a clear thesis and topic with specific examples from the book.
You also need to explain your examples. It should be evident from your essay that you
have read and understood the novel. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in an
automatic zero. The essay will be worth 60 points: ideas will be worth 30, organization
10, and conventions (spelling, grammar, etc.) worth 20. The essay will be due on the first
day of class.
Essay Prompt #1
Write an essay on the importance of knowledge. In your introduction and conclusion,
you should also relate what happened in the novel to what is happening today. Support
your answer with analysis with quotes and events from the work.
Essay Prompt #2
Using Clarisse, Montag, and/or the war to prove your thesis, write an essay defending the
necessity to “ask why.” Support your answer with analysis with quotes and events from
the work.
Essay Prompt #3
The novel was a warning to society at the time it was written. Write an essay about how
the novel can still be used as a warning to people in America today. Hint – be sure to
mention what the novel is warning against and how. Support your answer with analysis
with quotes and events from the work.