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, several characters make significant sacrifices for a cause they believe in.

• What does it mean to make a sacrifice? (topic sentence)
• Select one character from the novel and identify how they make a Sacrifice of the Individual for the Greater Good. Provide specific examples of this character’s actions.
• Why does this character make this sacrifice? What is the greater good that they believe in?

2. According to Michael’s parents, women and children are perfect for espionage.

• What makes children effective as spies? (topic sentence)
• Select one example in the novel when either a child or woman spy goes unnoticed. Describe the scene with details from the text.
• How does this statement by Michael’s parents speak to the larger theme of The Role of Children in War?

3.