Summarize one anecdotie that shows how Krents doesn't want to be treated.

Does anything Walker says here about her family and their dreams remind you of your own family and friends and their hopes for the future?

The media is often criticized for intruding on people's private lives or making news out of people's suffering. What do you think of these criticisms? Do you think journalists like Quindlen perform a public service by writing articles like this one, or do you think people like Ann should be left alone? Share your opinions with other readers.

The speaker of Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem "Sympathy" (see Connections on page 362) says he knows why the caged bird sings at springtime, when nature is blooming and other birds fly freely. Why do you think Angelou chose Dunbar's image as the title of her life story? Look back at the chart you made comparing these two texts. What other similarities and differences did you discover between the poem about the caged bird and Angelou's story about her dignified grandmother?

What larger meaning do you read into the word home in the last sentence?

At one point Angelou says that she is afraid of the kids only when Momma is around, and that she knows how to handle them when she's alone. What do you suppose she means? Would you feel the same way?

What do you think of Quindlen's choice of homelessness as "the thing that seems most wrong with the world to me right now"? What seems most wrong in the world to you?

What advice would you give to a young person who is not happy with where he or she lives or who wishes to be someone else?

Mrs. Donovan repeats "Haven't I made a difference. . .!" Is it important that you make a difference in the world? What people can you name who have made a difference?

Angelou takes some time to tell us about what is considered good behavior and courtesy in her family. What was her purpose for doing this? How does she want you to feel about her family's rules?

How would you state Walker's main idea? How does the story she tells support that main idea?

Jacobs faces great hardship, but doesn't give up. What do you think keeps some people going in the face of great hardship? Why do others give up?

Plan What You'll Say

• The introduction should grab the readers' attention and contain your thesis statement.
• The body states your argument point by point and gives reasons in order of importance. As in a debate, you'll attack the opposing views in counterarguments. A pro-con chart like this one will help you plan your essay.

Quindlen believes that homelessness is a major problem. Her source is a series of interviews. Do you think interviews are a credible source? Are they enough, or are statistics also necessary? Give your reasons.