Prompt 01
Essay task
AP LiteratureIB Language & LiteratureCommon Core Ela
In Valentine Duffy, the author presents Valentine Duffy as a way to delve into themes of identity, belonging, and personal transformation. Write a well-structured essay arguing how the author depicts Valentine Duffy's journey as a commentary on the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations. Use specific evidence from the text to bolster your argument, and examine how literary elements like characterization, narrative voice, and setting enhance this central idea.
Guiding Questions to Consider Before Writing
- What key choices does Valentine Duffy make, and what do those choices indicate about her/his/their values?
- How does the setting either support or challenge Valentine's understanding of herself/himself/themself?
- In what ways does the narrative voice influence the reader's feelings of sympathy or judgment toward the protagonist?
- What does the author ultimately convey about the costs — or benefits — of defying social norms?
Requirements
- Craft a clear, defensible thesis in your introduction.
- Back up your argument with at least three pieces of textual evidence.
- Consider at least one counterargument or complicating perspective.
- End by reflecting on the broader significance of the text's central message.