Silent Spring

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. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the book over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. It is Carson’s belief that the public must take action to end environmental destruction.

• What is the strongest rhetorical strategy (e.g., logical arguments, facts and figures, emotional appeals, specific examples, storytelling, or figurative language) that Carson uses to engage the public in her argument? (topic sentence)
• In what specific ways does this strategy strengthen the effect of her argument? Find and incorporate at least 3 examples from various points in the book.
• Considering both the renown and the impact of Silent Spring, evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in your concluding sentences.

2. While Carson discusses many impacts of pesticides, she chooses to name the book Silent Spring.

• What is the title’s significance, and why might the author have chosen this title? (topic sentence)
• Provide 3 points of evidence from various points in the text to support your argument, each with discussion and examples.
• Is the title effective? Why or why not? Discuss these topics in your concluding sentences.