The Uncommon Reader

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. As a satire, it could be argued that each of the characters in The Uncommon Reader is a stand-in for a larger idea or system.

• What is the overall critique of the system? (topic sentence)
• Choose one or two characters and analyze what or who they stand for, using precise evidence to back up your assertions.
• How do these individuals link with The Duty of the Monarch?

2. Bennett could have chosen several activities to transform Her Majesty’s way of thinking over the course of time.

• Why does he choose reading? (topic sentence)
• How does reading specifically alter the Queen’s perspective?
• How does Bennett’s choice of reading link to The Power of the Written Word?

3. Her Majesty’s character changes over the course of the novella.

• What is the major change that Her Majesty experiences? (topic sentence)
• Identify and analyze key transition moments to discuss how she changes and for what reasons.
• How does this fit within the theme The Queen and Public Opinion?

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. The Uncommon Reader emphasizes the connection between reading and writing. What argument does the novella make about this connection? For example, how do reading and writing change one’s emotions? Are they intrinsically linked? Do you agree or disagree? Present your opinion using evidence from the novella to support your assertions.

2. Norman is an integral part of the novella. Why does Bennett include Norman’s character? How does Norman’s sexual orientation, which is mentioned several times in the text, alter the overall plot of the novella? How does their relationship evolve over time, and, more specifically, how is Normal crucial for Her Majesty’s individual development?

3. The conclusion of the novella might be surprising to some readers. Why does Bennett choose to end the text this way? What commentary is Bennett making? What does this ending imply about the future of the monarchy as a whole?