Divergent

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. Each faction defines the most important qualities differently.

• Which faction demonstrates the most compassion? (topic sentence)
• Consider the definition of compassion and how specific examples from the novel fit that definition.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what this compassion says about the faction.

2. Most of the leaders come from the Abnegation faction.

• How strong is Abnegation’s leadership? (topic sentence)
• Include your definition of strong leadership and clear examples from the book that illustrate how Abnegation fits or doesn’t fit this definition.
• In your conclusion, argue why Abnegation should or should not be in charge.

3. Tris has been raised most of her life by her family, yet she chooses a different faction.

• Which has more influence over who Tris is: her family or her faction? (topic sentence)
• Use specific examples to build your argument and articulate your reasoning.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how much choice Tris has in her identity.

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. How does the fear landscape illustrate Tris’s identity? What are her fears? What does each reveal about her? How do her choices in the simulation build a clearer vision of who she is?

2. Initially, Tris does not understand why being Divergent is so dangerous and shrouded in secrecy. What does Divergent mean in the novel? How does Tris’s understanding of being Divergent change over time? Why does being Divergent bring danger? How does being Divergent help Tris and others? What lessons does the book strive to teach its readers about differences?