Amina's Voice

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. Consider the meaning of the book’s title.

• What is important and meaningful about the title Amina’s Voice? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Amina’s voice relates to her identity and how changes in her ability to use her voice demonstrate that she is maturing. Give details from the story that support your ideas.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how the title’s meaning relates to the theme of Coming-of-Age for a First-Generation Immigrant.

2. Think about the parenting styles of Mr. and Mrs. Khokar.

• How are Mr. and Mrs. Khokar similar and different as parents? (topic sentence)
• Give three examples of moments in the story when Amina’s parents approach parenting in the same way, and then give three examples of moments when they approach parenting in different ways.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain the message that these similarities and differences convey.

3. Bullying makes a strong impact on Amina and Soojin.

• How are Amina and Soojin affected by the racist bullying they face at school? (topic sentence)
• Explain at least two different ways in which the girls are affected by racist bullying. Give examples of bullying incidents in the story, and show how these incidents impact the girls in two distinct ways.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what message the bullying Amina and Soojin face conveys about Racially Motivated Bullying.

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. Why is Thaya Jaan’s character included in the story? Certainly, he plays a role in the plot, but more than this, what issues does his arrival in Amina’s home raise? How does he make Amina, Mustafa, and their parents feel? How do some of his ideas and attitudes end up surprising them? What messages about Islam, Pakistan, America, and family does the story convey through his character? Write an essay in which you make a claim about the significance of Thaya Jaan’s character. Support your ideas with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted evidence in MLA format.

2. What thematic message is conveyed through the attack on the Islamic Center? What message is conveyed through the community response to this attack? How does Khan use this incident to communicate something about The Impact of Islamophobia in America? How does the attack affect Amina and her community? What do the Muslim and non-Muslim characters learn about one another because of this attack? Write an essay in which you make a claim about the thematic significance of the attack on the Islamic Center and its aftermath. Support your ideas with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted evidence in MLA format.

3. Why is Amina so interested in music? What kinds of music does she like, and what message does this convey? Who supports her love of music, and who discourages it? What does her changing ability to share her music with others convey about her character? Write an essay in which you make a claim about the significance of music in Amina’s life. Support your ideas with evidence drawn from throughout the story, making sure to cite any quoted evidence in MLA format.