Honors English ______

6th grade

Mr. Kowalick ______

______

Text Selection: Freak the Mighty

Writing prompt: Among the themes of Freak the Mighty are the importance of friendship and how people overcome the challenges they face in life. Write a five-paragraph essay that analyzes the relationship between Max and Kevin (Freak). Explain the different challenges Max and Kevin face and how each character relies on the other to overcome those challenges. Use the following outline for your essay. Note the suggested length for each paragraph (you may go longer for each body paragraph if you have good supporting details to include.) Follow instructions for citing textual evidence.

Instructions

1. Write your essay in the third-person point of view (Do not write “I think” or “I believe” except in your conclusion). Write in present tense (Ex: “Max believes…” or “Kevin tries to…”).

2. Begin your introduction with an interesting sentence that will “hook” the reader. Conclude your introduction with a thesis statement.

3. Write clear topic sentences for each body paragraph. Include strong supporting details by citing specific textual evidence. Follow the outline provided. Write a rough draft and share it with a study buddy to make revisions before submitting your final draft. Skip lines between paragraphs.

4. Submit a typewritten final draft with the rubric attached.

Freak the Mighty Essay Outline

I. Introduction (4-5 sentences)

A. “Hook” the reader with an interesting point, pertinent question, or interesting quote

related to the story. It is important to grab the reader’s attention in the first sentence!

B. Give background information: the novel’s title, author, and a brief summary of the

plot (Example: In the novel Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, two middle

school boys, Max and Kevin, become friends and . . . ). Include a sentence that the novel

was made into a successful motion picture in 1998.

C. Thesis statement. Write one sentence that states the point of your essay. Your thesis

statement should address the prompt. (Example: Through their friendship, Max and

Kevin help each other to… ). Remember: the thesis statement is not a question.

II. First Body Paragraph (Write about Max; 6-8 sentences)

A.  Begin with a topic sentence that states that Max faces many challenges in his life. This is your assertion that must be supported by textual evidence.

B.  Support your topic sentence (assertion) with textual evidence. This should include a citation from the novel. Cite a specific example(s) of the challenge(s) Max faces. Be sure to follow the format for citing textual evidence. You may include more than one citation/example as supporting evidence. You may also include an example from the film “The Mighty.” (Example: In a scene from “The Mighty”… or This evidence also is clear in the film “The Mighty” when…)

C.  Explain why the textual evidence you selected for this paragraph supports your assertion. This is your opinion as to why the evidence you selected is relevant to your thesis.

III. Second Body Paragraph (Write about Kevin; 6-8 sentences)

A.  Begin with a topic sentence that states that Kevin also (use a transitional word or phrase in this topic sentence) faces many challenges in his life. This is your assertion that must be supported by textual evidence.

B.  Support your topic sentence (assertion) with textual evidence. This should include a citation from the novel. Cite a specific example(s) of the challenge(s) Kevin faces. Follow the format for citing textual evidence. You may include more than one citation/example as supporting evidence. You may also include an example from the film “The Mighty.” (Example: In a scene from “The Mighty”… or This evidence also is clear in the film “The Mighty” when…)

C.  Explain why the textual evidence you selected for this paragraph supports your assertion. This is your opinion as to why the evidence you selected is relevant to your thesis.

IV. Third Body Paragraph (Write about Max and Kevin; 6-8 sentences)

A.  Begin with a topic sentence that explains that Max and Kevin benefit from the other’s help.

B.  Support your topic sentence with textual evidence (citation) from the novel. You may include more than one example of textual evidence to support your topic sentence. You also may include evidence from the film.

C.  Concluding sentence: Explain why the textual evidence you chose supports your thesis.

V. Conclusion

A. Start with a closing transitional phrase and restate your main idea (thesis statement).

Example: It is clear that Max and Kevin…

B. Try to end your essay on a positive note. Ex: What lesson can be learned from the

story of Max and Kevin? What might have happened to either character if the other had

not entered his life? Can you offer a thought-provoking conclusion to sum up your essay?