This first major essay will strengthen your critical reading skills by digging into the themes and literary devices
of a text (what and how), as well as your critical thinking skills by explaining the connection between the text
and culture(why). These skills will serve you well in many other classes, career fields, and life in general. To
strengthen those muscles, you will answer the following questions in an MLA-formatted 3-page essay: WHAT
theme(s) does Emezi best communicate? How does the author use literary devices to convey the theme(s)?
Why are the theme(s) meaningful to you, the YA audience, your communities, and/or society today? Your intro
paragraph? Your voice Hooks, Orients, and Tantalizes your reader. Body pargraphs serve that TEA!
Conclusion? (T: Topic Sentence/Claim. E: Evidence. A: Analysis/Warrant)