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 text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Write about the symbolic significance of Cinder’s mechanical foot.

• What idea does Cinder’s mechanical foot represent? (topic sentence)
• Explain how the characteristics of the mechanical foot, its involvement in the plot, and Cinder’s thoughts and feelings about the mechanical foot work together to convey a larger idea.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, connect this symbolism to one or more of the novel’s themes.

2. Explain how and why Kai struggles with his royal identity throughout the book.

• What aspects of his royal identity does Kai have a hard time accepting? (topic sentence)
• Explain at least 3 different places in the story where Kai seems to struggle to accept the responsibilities, privileges, and isolation created by his royal status.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, connect Kai’s struggles with one or more of the novel’s themes.