The Red Pyramid

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. Discuss the impact of having Sadie and Carter as dual narrators.

• How do their distinct perspectives shape the storytelling? (topic sentence)
• Give 3 examples that highlight Carter and Sadie’s contrasting personalities, perspectives, and character development. Analyze how these examples contribute to the reader’s understanding of the overall story and their sibling relationship.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider how the novel might have been different if it were told from only a single perspective.

2. Analyze the importance of the setting in the novel and its impact on the story.

• How does the author use different locations to enhance the plot? (topic sentence)
• Give 3 examples of locations in the novel. How does each location contribute to the atmosphere?
• In your conclusion, reflect on how the setting blends the modern and the contemporary.

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. Analyze how the characters’ cultural backgrounds and the clash between ancient Egyptian and modern American cultures are explored in the novel. Consider the characters’ connections to their respective cultural heritages, their struggles with identity, and the impact of cultural clashes on their personal growth and relationships. Discuss how cultural heritage and culture clash contribute to the overall theme of People Are More Than One Thing.  

2. Discuss the different ways power and leadership are depicted in the story, such as magical abilities, familial heritage, and societal power structures. How do these various forms of power influence the characters’ decisions, and actions? Analyze how the characters’ relationships with power evolve throughout the novel and the effects it has on their personal growth. Cite specific examples from the text to support your analysis.