Welcome to the
School House Books Online Services


Drama Essay Prompts and Links for English Honors and AP* Literature and Composition
Lorraine Hansberry
A Raisin in the Sun  Note the changes in social or political attitudes that are advocated in this novel.  Then analyze the techniques that the author uses to influence the reader's views.  Avoid plot summary.  Do  not write about a film or television program.

This play depicts a conflict between a parent or parental figure and a son or daughter.  Write a well-organized essay that analyzes the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.  Avoid plot summary.

This play uses contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that arecentral to the meaning of the work.  Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the overall meaning of the work.

In this play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is used to be present when the hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in.  Frequently, as Henry James puts it, this friend or relative of the protagonist can be as much "the reader's friend as the protagonist's."  Write an essay in which you discuss the various ways this character functions in the work.

In this play, a character who appears briefly, or does not apppear at all, is a significant presence.  Write an essay that shows how this character functions in this work.  You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters.

This work offers a happy ending through moral development.  Write a well-organized essay that identifies the moral reconciliation evident on the ending and analyze its significance in the work as a whole.

In this play, a characterónot necessarily the protagonistóis pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences.  Write a well-organized essay that identifies each conflicting force and explain how this plaguing conflict within one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole.
Teacher's Guide to A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  Biography, synopsis, themes, irony, symbols, activities.
American Scenes  Analysis of several aspects of the play along with a message board for comments and questions.
Guide to A Raisin in the Sun  "Pursuing the American Dream against Difficult Odds" -- Summary, theme openers, crosscurricular activities, and research assignments.
Learning Guide to A Raisin in the Sun  Summary, background information, discussion questions from TeachWithMovies.com.
PAL: Lorraine Hansberry  A discussion of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, an extensive bibliography, study questions. From Perspectives in American Literature.
A Raisin in the Sun Teacher's Guide by Lorraine Hansberry
 A thorough set of questions to explore from RandomHouse.com.
Teacher's Guide to A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry  Biography, synopsis, themes, irony, symbols, activities.


Great Teaching Ideas!
| School House Books Order Form | Contact Us
|Journal for High School and English Advanced Placement* |
| Journal for Middle School English Teachers and Students |
| Journal for Elementary English Teachers and Students|
| Language Guide | Language Multiple-Choice Solutions Workbook |
| Language Writing Soultions Workbook | Literature Guide |
| Literature Multiple-Choice Solutions Workbook |
| Literature Writing Solutions Workbook |
| The Multiple-Choice Classroom |
| The Scarlet Letter ClassroomREADER | WRITER |
|English Advanced Placement On-line Writing Instruction Series |

© Copyright 2006 School House Books, Inc.