Prompt 01
Essay task
In Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech intertwines Sal's journey across the country with Phoebe Winterbottom's story, ultimately showing that Sal's road trip is as much about her internal struggles as it is about the physical journey. Write a well-developed essay arguing that Sal's gradual acceptance of her mother's absence signifies the novel's key coming-of-age transformation, and that Creech uses the parallel narratives of Sal and Phoebe to highlight how storytelling serves as a way to process grief.
Your essay should:
- Introduce a clear, arguable thesis that addresses both the themes of grief and acceptance, as well as the structural role of parallel storytelling.
- Develop at least three body paragraphs, each backed by specific textual evidence (quotes, scenes, or details) from the novel.
- Analyze how literary devices — such as foreshadowing, symbolism (like the journey westward, the blackberries, and the name "Salamanca"), and narrative structure — strengthen your argument.
- Conclude by reflecting on the broader significance of the novel's message: "Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins."
Pre-writing tip
Think about why Sal needs to share Phoebe's story before she can confront her own. What does this reveal about how people use narratives to cope with difficult truths?
Suggested length
4–6 paragraphs (approximately 600–900 words)