WRITING PROMPT
Throughout Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Oskar has been completing his own version of his father’s Reconnaissance Expeditions by making his way through New York City, methodically meeting everyone named “Black” to search for clues to the key he discovered in his father’s closet.
For this short paper, choose three Blacks that you think are particularly influential for Oskar. In each paragraph, briefly summarize Oskar’s meeting with that Black, then spend the bulk of the paragraph describing what kind of influence that person has on Oskar and analyzing what lesson(s) Oskar learns from his interaction with that particular Black.
• You do not have to write a separate introductory paragraph, but you should open your paper with a thesis statement that gives the general context of the book (author, title, generally what the book is about) and announces the paper prompt and your 3 focal points.
• You should close with 1-2 sentences that provide a satisfying ‘wrap-up’ to the paper.
• You are expected to integrate at least two relevant, vivid quotes per body paragraph.
• You may choose Blacks from across the novel, but at least 1 Black must be from the most recent section of the reading (pgs. 234-261).
