Dear Martin
Dear Martin by Nic Stone takes readers on an emotional journey, and it forces students to consider the effects and implications of heavy issues including micro-aggression, police profiling, and institutional racism.
These issues require deep discussion and thought to get a handle on, and when it comes to writing, they provide a perfect opportunity for students to practice the persuasive essay.
Here are five essay questions you can use while teaching essay writing during your Dear Martin unit.
Essay Questions
- How does the main character, Justyce, struggle with identity and self-worth throughout the novel? How do his experiences as a Black teenager in America shape his perception of himself and his place in society?
- In what ways does the novel explore the complexities of interracial relationships and friendships? How do the characters navigate their racial identities in these relationships, and what challenges do they face?
- How does the use of letters to Martin Luther King Jr. contribute to the themes of the novel? What role does Dr. King’s legacy play in Justyce’s understanding of justice and activism?
- How does the novel depict the justice system and its treatment of Black individuals? What critiques does the author offer of the system, and what solutions does she propose?
- How does the ending of the novel reflect the overall themes and messages of the story? What does Justyce’s journey throughout the novel reveal about the complexities of racial justice and the pursuit of equality in America?
For Dear Martin lesson plan ideas, check out these 7.
And if you want everything you need to teach Dear Martin in one download, check out this full unit plan.
