A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Pip struggles throughout the narrative to write her college application personal essay. When faced with the task of writing about who she really is, Pip cannot articulate who she is, admitting she is still searching for herself. The essay becomes increasingly stressful for Pip as the application deadline looms. Reflect upon Pip's college admission essay as a symbol/motif in A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. What could Pip's essay ultimately be a product of? What does her essay represent?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to consider the parallels among Pip's self-discovery, her investigation of a crime, and her ability to articulate who she is. It may be helpful to point out to students that the prompt is asking about how Pip's moral, intellectual, and emotional growth is reflected in the final product of her college application essay. Students can respond in writing or through class discussion. If you choose to have students respond aloud, consider providing adequate time for them to gather evidence for a richer discussion. If you wish to offer students additional resources on symbolism and motif in literature, direct them to Symbolism on SuperSummary or Literary Analysis on SuperSummary for general guidance.

Differentiation Suggestion: Because this prompt asks for evidence gathered throughout the entire novel, English language learners, students with dyslexia and other reading challenges, and students with attentional and executive function issues may struggle to find evidence quickly and accurately. You may consider simplifying the task by asking students to focus on one aspect of Pip's growth that is represented in her essay—her response to one or more of the moral dilemmas she encounters, for example—and trace this growth through the novel. Or, you might allow students to work with partners or in small groups and offer them a graphic organizer where they can record evidence.

If you are asking students to respond in writing, students who struggle with written language might be allowed to turn in such a graphic organizer in lieu of a full written response. As an extension for students interested in creative writing and/or skilled in intrapersonal intelligence, offer students the opportunity to write Pip's college application essay, drawing from no fewer than 2 sections of the book that deeply influenced Pip's journey toward self-discovery.