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Essay Prompts

Old School

For the 2012 NEHS Scholarship Application
based on Old School by Tobias Wolfe

Prompt One:

The idea of honor is a very old one, going back as far as ancient Greece, when a man's most valuable possession was the esteem of his fellow citizens.  Readers of Old School know that plagiarism plays a considerable role in the novel. Despite the use of academic honesty pledges and honor courts in many high schools, plagiarism is a major problem in today's classroom, as the temptation to commit the act lures many students. Utilizing Old School, discuss the temptation and consequences of plagiarism as it is presented in the development of the story. What does this continuing intellectual crime say about society?

Prompt Two:

Books give readers lenses for viewing the world and themselves as they witness characters confronting and struggling with decisions that affect not only themselves but others, decisions that expose human foibles and strengths. Readers come to understand not only the characters, but themselves as well, and are able to learn important life lessons. Discuss how Old School provides a lens for understanding human nature and the world around us.

Prompt Three:

Fictional characters may or may not have the title of "teacher," but they may teach through actions, reactions, attitudes, insights, prejudices, or abilities. In Old School, two characters, one a student and the other a teacher, act in ways that reflect human character. Select one, the unnamed narrator or Arch Makepeace, and discuss the significance of the lesson(s) the character teaches, why the lesson(s) are important to you as a writer, and how you might apply what was exposed by the character to your life and to the broader arena of society.

 

Notes: 

  1. Follow the directions for online submission of your essay carefully.
  2. Make sure to save a file copy of your essay before submitting in case you need to resubmit.
  3. The audience reading your essay will know the text; while you are expected to reference and quote from the text, a retelling of the accounts within the book in a traditional “book report format” will disqualify the essay from consideration.
  4. Follow directions for preparing your essay document. Use 12 point font and double space your essay.
  5. Appropriate documentation is expected.
  6. All essays must be electronically submitted between December 1, 2011 and January 23, 2012.