Your essay should:

> Suggested Length: 4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words) > > Evaluation Criteria: Strength of thesis, quality of textual evidence and analysis, engagement with counterargument, and clarity of writing.

• Formulate a clear, specific thesis that takes a defensible stance on this assertion.
• Incorporate at least three pieces of textual evidence from the book to back up your argument.
• Analyze how Skloot's narrative and structural choices (such as blending journalism, biography, and memoir) influence the reader's perception of justice and medical ethics.
• Acknowledge and address a counterargument to bolster your position.

In your essay, be sure to

• Develop a clear, defensible thesis that addresses the ethical and social implications highlighted in the text.
• Use specific evidence from the book (scenes, quotations, or narrative details) to back up your argument.
• Analyze how Skloot's narrative choices — including her mix of journalism, biography, and personal reflection — strengthen her central argument.
• Engage with at least one counterargument (e.g., the undeniable medical benefits of HeLa cells) and clarify why it does not weaken your claim.
• Maintain a formal, analytical tone throughout.

Tip

Reflect on how the Lacks family's experiences highlight broader systemic issues within American medicine and research ethics, and connect those issues to the text's themes of identity, exploitation, and justice.