With the Fire on High

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 below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The author challenges conceptions around teenage pregnancy in the novel.

• How does Elizabeth Acevedo use Emoni’s experience to challenge conceptions around teenage pregnancy? (topic sentence)
• Identify and cite three passages that describe Emoni’s experience as a teenage mother.
• In your concluding statement or paragraph explain the impact of Emoni’s experience on the theme of Heterogenous Identity, Prejudice, and Roots or Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation.

2. Explain the role of fathers, or absentee fathers, in With the Fire on High.

• How do fathers such as Julio or Tyrone impact the people in their lives? (topic sentence)
• Identify and cite three passages that show Julio or Tyrone in their role as father. Consider areas where they are positive father figures as well as areas where they are not positive father figures.
• In your concluding statement or paragraph explain Julio or Tyrone’s connection to the theme of Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation.

3. The author uses imagery throughout the novel in telling Emoni’s story.

• How does Elizabeth Acevedo use imagery to demonstrate Emoni’s passion for the culinary arts? (topic sentence)
• Identify three passages where Emoni discusses food, including cooking and eating.
• In your concluding statement or paragraph explain how the use of imagery connects to the theme of Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. In the chapter “The Authors” (Chapter 5), Emoni describes the sign that Ms. Fuentes displays for her students. It reads, “You’re the Author of Your Own Life Story.” To what extent would Emoni agree with this sign? In what ways does Emoni author her own life story? Connect this precept to the theme of Heterogenous Identity, Prejudice, and Roots; the theme of Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation; or the theme of Colonialism, Coexistence, and Integration.

In your five-paragraph essay, cite at least three specific pieces of evidence to support your thesis. Cite your quotations with page numbers.

2. Emoni is many things: a teenager, a mother, Black, Puerto Rican, a student, a chef, a potential love interest. These multiple identities often lead to conflicts between the way that people view her compared to the way that she views herself. How do such conflicts reveal the theme of Heterogenous Identity, Prejudice, and Roots? Write a well-developed essay that includes an introduction with a thesis statement, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Support your ideas with specific textual examples from the novel. Please remember to cite all direct quotes and paraphrased examples with page numbers.

3. Julio frequently speaks on colonialism and its impact on Puerto Rican life and culture. He says, “I’m sure there has been an exchange of cuisine back and forth, especially with spices” (Chapter 35, “Julio, oh, Julio”). Choose a region of the world and research the impact of colonialism on food and culture. Write an essay in which you connect your research to the theme of Colonialism, Coexistence, and Integration in With the Fire on High. Write a well-developed essay that includes an introduction with a thesis statement, several body paragraphs, and a clear conclusion. Support your ideas with specific textual examples from the novel and your research. Please remember to cite all direct quotes and paraphrased examples.