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. Consider the various examples of heroism that Prince Caspian offers.

• What traits does the novel suggest make a person heroic? (Topic sentence)
• Provide at least 3 examples of heroism from across the novel, explaining how and why the character’s/characters’ actions qualify.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, connect the novel’s exploration of heroism to its depiction of The Triumph of Faith and Courage.

2. Consider how different characters seek forgiveness and learn from their mistakes.

• What sorts of mistakes does Prince Caspian depict its characters making? (Topic sentence)
• Explore at least 2 examples of characters learning from their mistakes and seeking forgiveness. How do these lessons help them become better people? Who forgives them, and why?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what message Lewis might be sending about The Process of Sin, Forgiveness, and Redemption.