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

1. A text’s atmosphere is a feeling created through the details and language used to describe the setting.

• How does Harris establish an uneasy atmosphere of suspense? (topic sentence)
• Give at least 3 examples of details, images, or phrasing that support the suspenseful atmosphere. Explain how they accomplish this task.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how the tense atmosphere supports the theme The Manipulation of Others for Good and Evil.

2. As one of few women in a male-dominated field, Clarice has to hold herself to higher standards than her male colleagues. 

• What is the main challenge that Clarice faces as a woman in a male-dominated field? (topic sentence)
• Give at least 3 examples of Clarice having to work harder than her male colleagues in order to do her job.