Piecing Me Together

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 play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1 The sociological concept of Intersectionality can be teased out through an examination of Jade’s relationship to others in the book.

• Define the concept of “intersectionality” drawing from scholarly sociological texts as well as characters’ experiences in the book. (topic sentence)
• Compare and contrast Jade’s relationship with 3 other primary characters in the book (e.g., Sam, Maxine, and Lee Lee). What are their similarities? What are their differences?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why intersectionality is crucial to understanding Jade’s identity.

2. The fictional group “Woman to Woman” is a mentorship organization that is supposed to empower young Black girls; when Jade first joins the group, however, her contentious relationship with her mentor Maxine raises questions about the nature of Authentic Mentorship.

• Trace the evolution of Woman to Woman throughout Piecing Me Together, discussing how it transforms from a less-authentic to a more-authentic organization.