Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Opal frequently refers to Winn-Dixie’s smile in the novel.

• What is the symbolic significance of Winn-Dixie’s smile? (topic sentence)
• Explain what Winn-Dixie’s smile represent in the novel and how his smile change the circumstances of Opal’s life.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe the author chose a dog as a catalyst to change Opal’s circumstances.

2. Opal struggles to come to terms with the loss of her mother.

• How does Opal’s absent mother shape her perception of mothers and herself? (topic sentence)
• Describe the roles Opal believes mothers play in the novel and explain why she might have these beliefs.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Opal’s understanding of her mother shapes her perception of herself.