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. Dr. Barnes repeatedly demonstrates that he believes the ends justify the means.

• To what extent does he prove himself right or wrong? (topic sentence)
• Include analysis of at least three specific sections of the novel and how they support or dispute his philosophy.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain a lesson that readers should apply to their lives about ends justifying the means.

2. The environment plays a central role in the novel.

• What does the book say about the environment? (topic sentence)
• Detail at least three specific parts in the novel that develop that idea and clearly explain how each contributes to the overall statement.
• In your concluding sentences, draw a connection between the environmental concerns in the book and in our world.