Out of My Mind

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.

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. What does Melody learn about friendships, relationships, and herself over the course of the novel?

• How does what Melody learns about friendships, relationships, and herself demonstrate her own self-acceptance?
• What do Melody’s relationships look like at the beginning of the novel versus at the end of the novel?
• How do Melody’s new relationships leave her feeling at the end of the novel?

2. How does the novel’s title communicate Melody’s journey in the story?

• How does the title relate to how Melody must communicate with others?
• What does Melody do to help others know what she is thinking?
• Though the title is a play on words, how is it literal and/or figurative for Melody’s experiences?

3. How does the Medi-Talker, “Elvira,” change Melody’s life?

• What are the positive impacts of the Medi-Talker for Melody?
• How does the Medi-Talker affect Melody’s home life, life at school, and her relationships with others?
• What future plans does Melody have for the Medi-Talker and what do these plans communicate about her?

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. Discuss Melody’s feelings and attitude toward school. How does she fit in with her classmates in some interactions and not in others? What makes Melody so different from the other “special needs” students in her room? How do Melody’s trivia bowl teammates affect her experiences at school? What does she learn during her first year of classroom inclusion?

2. Examine the sibling relationship between Melody and Penny. How does the story show Melody’s love for her sister? In what ways is Melody envious of Penny? How do Melody and Penny’s parents treat them differently? How does Melody’s relationship with Penny change and evolve as they grow? How does Penny’s car accident change their relationship?

3. How does Melody confront the obstacle of prejudice and fear concerning her cerebral palsy? Describe at least three specific instances where she must overcome the cruelties and assumptions of others. How does she handle these slights? In what ways is she able to change some people’s minds about her?