Shiloh

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. Marty faces internal conflict when he tries to determine whether he should hide Shiloh from his parents or not.

• Was Marty correct in keeping Shiloh secret, and lying to his parents and others? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Marty made the decision to hide Shiloh from his parents and others then discuss options Marty might have had based on the novel’s circumstances.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe there are certain instances when it is appropriate to lie. Support your assertion with evidence based on the novel’s plot.

2. Judd and Marty interact frequently in the novel after Marty first discovers Shiloh.  

• Does the relationship between Judd and Marty change in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Using text details to support your topic sentence, explain how Judd feels about Marty at the beginning of the novel and compare it to how he feels at the novel’s conclusion.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize the impact each character has on the other by the novel’s end, and use details support your answer.

3. Shiloh is a coming-of-age novel in which Marty learns and grows as a person.

• How does Marty change in the novel? ? (topic sentence)
• Explain with text details how Marty’s thinking and actions change in the novel, then explain how Shiloh impacted the way Marty changed.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how some of Marty’s initial decisions might have been different based on the changes he made later in the novel.

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. David Howard and Marty come from different family backgrounds. Compare David’s background to Marty’s background. How are the two boys similar? How are they different? To what extent does their background impact their differences? What events solidify David and Marty’s friendship?  

2. Consider the mannerisms and behaviors of the townspeople in Friendly. What aspects of Friendly make it a good place to live? What are the drawbacks of living in Friendly? How do community traditions influence characters’ behaviors and drive the plot of the novel? Consider Doc Murphy, Mr. Wallace, Dad, and Marty, which character has the strongest impact on plot? Provide your rationale.

3. In Chapter 6, Judd tells Marty not to feel sorry for him because, “Nobody ever felt sorry for me, and I never felt sorry for nobody else. Sorry’s something I can do without.” What does Judd mean by his statement? What factors in Judd’s background and experience cause him to feel this way? How does his attitude have an impact on the way he treats others? How does Marty feel about Judd after he says this?