Controversy Classic Open Response

This worksheet dives into the buzz around Mark Twain’s famous tale about Huck and his adventures with Jim. It explains why the book is both praised for tackling issues like racism and criticized for its language and portrayal of characters. Readers explore how Huck’s evolving view of Jim challenges what he’s been taught by society. The worksheet encourages students to understand both the impact and the controversy of this literary classic.

Working on this worksheet builds critical thinking by encouraging students to analyze multiple perspectives. It strengthens reading fluency and comprehension through engagement with complex historical and social themes. Students also expand vocabulary and learn to interpret tone and nuance. Most importantly, they learn to support opinions with textual evidence.