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.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Ove’s measuring of others reveals more about Ove than about those he measures.

• How does Ove measure the value of a person? (topic sentence)
• Analyze and discuss at least three influences in Ove's life that contribute to his judgments about others.
• In your conclusion, sum up whether you find it likely that Ove's opinions of others are justified and why.

2. The story suggests a relationship between critical thinking and having a flexible mind.

• What is Ove's core principle? (topic sentence)
• What are the requirements of critical thinking? When does Ove exhibit any of them? Analyze and discuss at least three examples.
• Under what circumstances, if any, do you think it's possible to hold principles that are black-and-white and still think critically?

3. Sonja's character is not realistic.

• What is Sonja's function in the story? (topic sentence)
• Describe Sonja's positive and negative attributes, including her appearance, demeanor, character traits, and capabilities.