Inside Out And Back Again

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 bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. This story begins and ends on Têt holidays, one year apart.

• How has Hà changed over the course of this year? (topic sentence)
• Choose and discuss at least one piece of evidence from the beginning poems and one piece of evidence from the ending poems to highlight the change seen in Hà.
• In your concluding sentences, draw a larger conclusion about what the author is trying to say about the theme of Growth and Change Marked by Endings and Beginnings.

2. The author chose to structure her story as a novel in verse.

• How is this story enhanced by the novel-in-verse structure? (topic sentence)
• Using at least three pieces of evidence from the text, explain what is gained by the poetic nature of the text. Consider elements like emotion, tone, and connection to the audience.
• In your conclusion, evaluate how the story would be different if it were told in a more traditional novel format.

3. Hà has three very different brothers to serve as role models.

• Which brother is the best role model for Hà? (topic sentence)
• In an argumentative essay, support your reasoning. Consider what Hà specifically needs in a role model when advocating for your choice. Be sure to include at least three pieces of evidence.
• In your conclusion, explain how your chosen brother specifically demonstrates the theme of Family Love and Support Promoting Resilience and Growth.

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. Consider how Hà views her own intelligence. In what situations does she seem naive or innocent? Are these the same moments that she declares herself “not smart”? In an essay, compare Hà’s view of herself to the audience’s view of her. Be sure to cite at least three examples in the text.

2. There are many times throughout the story when Hà seeks support and comfort from others. Focusing specifically on the “pancake face” incident in Part 3, compare and contrast the types of support she gets from the people around her. How do the reactions of Miss Washington, Mother, and the cowboy differ? What do their offerings tell us about their characters? Connect to the theme of Family Love and Support Promoting Resilience and Growth throughout your essay.

3. Learning English is a major focus for all the family’s children. Consider what role language plays in acceptance within a culture. Could Hà have been accepted without focusing all her energy on learning English? Support your analysis with multiple pieces of evidence from the text. Be sure to discuss the connection to the theme of Acceptance Despite Differences when crafting your response.