Your essay should

• Present a clear, defendable claim (thesis) in your introduction
• Support your argument with at least three specific pieces of textual evidence (quotes, scenes, or details from the novel)
• Analyze how each piece of evidence bolsters your central claim
• Address at least one counterargument or complicating factor (for instance, the ways Bud is consistently disappointed by the adults in his life)
• Conclude by linking the theme to a broader human truth or universal experience

Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing

• In what ways do Bud's "Rules and Things" illustrate his understanding of the world and his place within it?
• What does Herman E. Calloway's band signify to Bud, beyond just a potential connection to his father?
• How is the concept of "family" defined by the end of the novel?

In your essay, be sure to

Suggested length: 4–5 paragraphs (approximately 600–900 words)

• Present a clear, defensible thesis in your introduction.
• Back up your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence drawn from significant moments in the novel (for example, Bud's rules and humorous thoughts, his experiences in the Amoses' shed, his arrival at the Log Cabin, and his relationship with Herman E. Calloway).
• Examine how Curtis's use of first-person narration, humor, and symbolism (notably Bud's suitcase and its contents) enhances the theme's development.
• Engage with a counterargument: some might claim that Bud's success is due to luck rather than resilience — counter or complicate this perspective using evidence from the text.
• Wrap up by linking the novel's themes to a broader universal concept regarding identity, family, or perseverance.