Prompt 01
Essay task
AP LiteratureAP LanguageCommon Core ElaIB Language & Literature
In Catching Fire, Katniss Everdeen evolves from a hesitant survivor to an unwitting symbol of revolution. Make the case that Katniss's actions throughout the novel — whether deliberate or not — serve as acts of political resistance that reveal and confront the Capitol's authoritarian grip on Panem.
In your essay, be sure to:
- Craft a clear, defensible thesis that asserts how Katniss's behavior represents political resistance.
- Incorporate at least three specific pieces of textual evidence (scenes, dialogue, or symbols) to back up your argument.
- Examine how Collins employs narrative perspective, symbolism (e.g., the Mockingjay), and plot structure to bolster your claim.
- Consider a counterargument: reflect on the degree to which Katniss is a constructed symbol shaped by others (e.g., District 13, the rebels) instead of being an authentic agent of resistance.
- Wrap up by contemplating what Collins conveys about the relationship between individual agency and systemic power.
Evaluation criteria
Clarity of thesis, quality of textual evidence, depth of analysis, engagement with counterarguments, and coherence of argument.
Suggested length
4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words)