One of Us is Lying

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Structural Mental Health Support”

In this activity, students conduct, analyze, and share research on mental health resources for teenagers in their local communities.

Throughout the novel, various characters struggle with their mental health; however, very few resources for supporting the characters’ mental health are discussed in the plot. For this activity, research different mental health support organizations in your local community (i.e., through schools, municipalities, districts, hospitals, etc.). Investigate resources available locally; you may be able to compile information and examples in the form of web sites and brochures. Consider the following questions:

• What type of resources are available in your area?
• How can one access these mental health support systems?
• What type of resources could have supported the characters better?

Prepare a slideshow or series of visual aids to display the information you’ve learned. Present your research to the class and display or publish your information to share with others.

Teaching Suggestion: This project encourages students to apply real-world information to a central concern of the novel (the lack of mental health support for the main characters). Projects can be as broad or narrow as is fitting for the class. For example, some students may focus on general resources for mental health, while advanced groups can examine avenues for mental health support in public education systems in more depth (see Differentiation Suggestion below). This activity can also be extended to include a research paper, with the opportunity to introduce/review steps for research projects (i.e., researching a topic, writing an annotated bibliography, creating a thesis statement, drafting an outline, writing several drafts, and participating in a peer-review process).

Differentiation Suggestion: For more advanced students, the following question can be added: How could the mental health of all the of the suspects have been better supported throughout the interrogation process (especially since they were minors)?  For students who might benefit from additional support, you may want to r provide a few sources for students to start with before leading their own research.

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 bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the novel, many of the characters struggle with their identity, particularly as they do not fit into a specific mold that is expected by their family or peers.

• How is identity formation affected by gossip and stereotypes? (topic sentence)
• Select one character who struggled with his/her identity and analyze examples of The Harmful Effects of Gossip and Stereotyping on their development throughout the novel.
• In your concluding sentence(s), summarize the ways in which this character reconciles these harmful effects with the formation of her/his identity.

2. In contrast to gossip and stereotyping, empathy is a powerful tool to overcoming hurtful words.

• How do the Bayview Four realize The Value of Empathy? (topic sentence)
• Select one character and analyze an example of how s/he exhibited empathy to her/his peers.
• In your concluding sentence(s), explain how the Bayview Four’s empathy contrasts with Simon’s lack of empathy.

3. In the beginning of the novel, many of the characters are beginning to narrow their focus on plans after graduating Bayview High.

• How are their plans thwarted by the incident with Simon? (topic sentence)
• Select one character and analyze the impact of Simon on their future goals.
• In what ways does the unexpected change plans reveal The Impact of Family Relationships on their goals?

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. In the beginning of the novel, Mr. Avery complains that “technology is ruining American high schools” (Chapter 1). Do you agree or disagree with his assertion? Use specific examples from One of Us is Lying, as well as your own outside research and perspective, to substantiate your point.

2. Explain Addy’s decision to cut off her hair after her breakup. What does her hair, both long and short, represent to her? How does the decision to cut her hair indicate a change in her character’s development, as well as a departure from her stereotype?

3. Consider the novel’s title One of Us Is Lying. Who was the liar? Who was telling the truth? Develop your rationale with evidence and examples from the novel. What argument might you use to refute a different opinion?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following words best describes the connection between Addy and Jake at the beginning of the story?

A) Inseparable

B) Loathsome

C) Tolerated

D) Shameful

2. Which of the following phrases best describes why Bronwyn feels pressured to perform well at school and extracurricular activities?

A) She was bullied in middle school.

B) Her parents were addicted to drugs.

C) Her boyfriend is very competitive.

D) Her sister is too sick to participate in activities.

3. What do Addy and Cooper have in common?

A) They both have parents who are too invested in their academic performance.

B) They both cheated on their significant others.

C) They are both overly obsessed with finding the murderer.

D) They are both interested in attending the same university.

4. Which of the following adages best describes why Bronwyn’s parents are disappointed in her cheating?

A) “Honesty is the best policy.”

B) “Work hard, do your best, the rest will follow.”

C) “Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat.”

D) “Kill two birds with one stone.”

5. Which of the following characters is the “obvious outlier” of the group?

A) Nate

B) Addy

C) Cooper

D) Bronwyn

6. Which of the following best describes what Addy begins to question after Jake starts ignoring her?

A) Her sexuality

B) Her love for Jake

C) Her future college plans

D) Her identity

7. In Chapter 16, Bronwyn states, “My entire family is watching Mikhail Powers Investigates together. Which is a circle of hell even Dante never imagined.” Which of the following literary terms does Bronwyn use in this quote?

A) Allegory

B) Alliteration

C) Allusion

D) Anaphora

8. Which of the following phrases best describes the public opinion of the “Bayview Four?”

A) Entirely despicable

B) Shrouded in concern

C) Primarily apathetic

D) Torn between love and hate

9. Which of the following words best describes how Nate acts towards his mother when they reunite?

A) Elated

B) Respectful

C) Defiant

D) Frightened

10. Which of the following phrases is an example of Addy’s new-found independence?

A) Riding her bike as a primary form of transportation

B) Talking about nail polish with Bronwyn

C) Growing her hair out long

D) Spending more time with her mother and Ashton

11. Which of the following words best describes Nate’s public reaction to Cooper’s sexuality?

A) Repulsed

B) Ashamed

C) Indignant

D) Protective

12. Which of the following events was a turning point in Bronwyn’s previously open and honest relationship with her mom?

A) Cheating in chemistry

B) Losing the Model UN competition

C) Sneaking out to Nate’s house

D) Becoming friends with Addy

13. Which of the following sentences best summarizes how Nate feels about Bronwyn?

A) He is perpetually annoyed with her hypocrisy.

B) He is consciously fearful she is out of his league.

C) He is head-over-heels with unrequited love.

D) He is holistically disappointed with her uncommitted behavior.

14. Which of the following phrases is a latent effect of the murder case on the Bayview Four?

A) Newfound comradery between the suspects

B) Increased distrust of police authority

C) Renewed relationship between Jake and Bronwyn

D) A decrease in school shootings in the San Diego area

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. In the Chapter 1, the four suspects in detention are described by the following stereotypes: “brain,” “jock,” “princess,” and “criminal.” Match each narrator to one stereotype, then explain how these stereotypes change throughout the novel.

2. Describe the narration style of this novel. How does this style affect the development of the plot?