English 8 Final - Study Guide

Monday June 6 th 1-3 pm

The format of your final exam will be based on written responses to a selection of the
questions seen below.

• Students will write on two essay topics of their choice

• There will be four of the eight options seen below to choose from
• Students will be expected to:

-use proper organizational structure (indentations, paragraphs etc.)

-have deliberate and purposeful thematic organization of their

paragraphs

-have a clear thesis statement that is presented in the first paragraph

-reference and incorporate specific examples from the novels to support

their opinions

-incorporate vocabulary that can be found within the novel (8-10 per
essay)

-Each essay should be approximately 300-350 words in length

Potential Essay Topics

1. Discuss how loyalty is a major theme throughout the novel “The Outsiders”.
Consider the role that loyalty plays between the greasers and the socs; what
parallels can you draw between your personal relationships in contrast to those
of the characters in the novel?

2. Discuss how significance of “coming of age” is a major theme throughout the

novels of “The Outsiders and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. How have the
characters transitioned from childhood into becoming adults? What
connections can you make from your own personal experiences in terms of
how you have transitioned through middle school and are now, heading into
high school?
3. Discuss how significance of “class conflict” is a major theme throughout the
novels of “The Outsiders” and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. How do you
personally experience or see class conflict in your own life?

4. Discuss how the theme of “searching for self” can be found throughout the
novels of “The Outsiders” and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. How have you
“searched for self” during your grade 8 year and what parallels can you draw
between your own journey and that of the characters in the novels?

5. Discuss the significance of the quote “nothing gold can stay” with respect to
Ponyboy and Anne’s personal experiences during their adolescent “growing
up” years.

6. Discuss the impact that stereotyping and prejudice had on the main characters
throughout the novels of “The Outsiders” and “The Diary of Anne Frank”.