Few relationships in Salvage the Bones capture students' attention like the one between Skeetah and his dog, China. His devotion generates strong opinions, which makes the relationship a good subject for argumentative writing. Teachers can ask students to take a position on what the bond reveals about Skeetah, about loyalty, or about the family's circumstances. Grading these essays calls for attention to both the strength of the argument and the handling of difficult material.

A good argumentative essay on this topic stakes out a position that is not obvious. Rather than saying that Skeetah loves his dog, a student might argue that his care for China substitutes for the tenderness he cannot express toward people. This claim invites evidence and counterarguments. It also pushes the student to consider alternative readings.

Because the novel includes dog fighting, essays may touch on uncomfortable subjects. Teachers should set expectations for how students discuss these scenes, emphasizing analysis of Ward's purpose rather than graphic detail. A rubric line about mature handling of sensitive content helps. Students tend to meet the standard when it is stated clearly.

Evaluating the Quality of Argument

Argumentative essays should be assessed for claim, reasoning, evidence, and acknowledgment of counterpoints. A strong essay will anticipate objections, such as the view that Skeetah's behavior is simply selfish, and respond using textual evidence. This willingness to engage opposing readings marks sophisticated thinking. Look for it when assigning higher scores.

• A clear, debatable claim about what the bond reveals about Skeetah
• Evidence from multiple scenes showing his actions and words toward China
• Reasoning that explains how the evidence supports the claim
• Consideration of at least one counterargument or alternative reading
• Respectful, analytical treatment of sensitive material

Teaching Students to Handle Counterarguments

Many students treat counterarguments as a formality, tacking on a sentence that begins with "some might say." Show them how to engage seriously by choosing the strongest opposing reading and responding with evidence. In this case, a student could consider whether Skeetah's priorities harm his family and explain why the text still supports a more sympathetic view. Real engagement strengthens the essay.

Practice through debate or structured discussion before writing. Students who have argued both sides aloud write richer counterargument paragraphs. The preparation also generates quotations they can use. Time spent on discussion often shortens the grading process by improving the drafts.

Feedback That Sharpens Claims

Comments on argumentative essays should help students refine their positions. If a thesis is too broad, ask which specific aspect of loyalty or care the essay will explore. If the reasoning is thin, prompt the student to explain how a particular scene supports the claim. These questions encourage independent thinking.

AI-assisted feedback aligned to an argument rubric can speed the identification of missing counterarguments or unsupported claims. The teacher reviews and personalizes each comment before returning it. This arrangement conserves time while preserving the human voice. The results are most valuable when the rubric is specific.

Connecting Argument to Larger Themes

Encourage students to link their claims about Skeetah to the novel's broader concerns, such as family, protection, and survival. This moves the essay beyond a single relationship and toward interpretation of the whole book. A student might argue that Skeetah's devotion mirrors the way the family holds together under pressure. Such connections demonstrate depth.

Finally, remind students that a good argument respects the text. Interpretations must be supported by what Ward actually wrote, not by assumptions about what a character should have done. Holding to this standard cultivates intellectual honesty. It is a lesson that extends well beyond the novel.