Projekt 1065

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. Many of the novel’s characters, such as Michael, Fritz, and Simon, are forced to overcome significant fears during the story.

• Select one of the above characters and identify their fear. (topic sentence)
• How does this character overcome his fear? Provide specific details from the novel to explain your answer.
• How does this character’s journey relate to the theme of The Power of Fear, and the Greater Power of Overcoming It?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Although Michael strives to remain impartial in many of the fights he sees among his peers, he believes intervening is important if it means standing up against a bully. Describe Michael’s experiences with bullies. How do the Nazis act as bullies throughout the novel, and in what other ways is the motif of bullying used in the novel?

2. Suspense is a feeling of excitement as a reader wonders what will happen next in a story. Does the author of Projekt 1065 do a good job of creating suspense? Provide at least three examples from the novel that support your answer.

3. How does Michael view countries that are officially neutral? Does he believe neutrality to be appropriate during WWII? Why or why not?