The Martian

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 throughout your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Analyze the author’s use of pop culture in The Martian.

• Does the use of pop culture references enrich Watney’s character? (topic sentence)
• Provide examples of pop culture references and Watney’s reaction to them, along with what his reactions suggest about his state of mind and his character.
• How effective are the pop culture references in The Martian in making Mark Watney relatable to readers?

2. Examine the novel’s theme of Bureaucracy, Morality, and the Modern Media.

• Does the fact that Watney’s predicament must be revealed to the whole world affect decision-making about his rescue? (topic sentence)
• Refer to incidents in the book when media attention influences the decision-making process of the bureaucrats who must consider politics when making life-or-death decisions.
• Is the global media attention on Watney’s rescue ultimately harmful or beneficial?

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. Watney has total faith in NASA. He says, “If I can’t trust NASA, who can I trust?” Based on what the reader learns of NASA’s activities during Watney’s predicament, is his trust justified? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

2. Discuss the author’s use of humor throughout the book as a literary device. How do Watney’s humorous observations contrast with the desperation of his situation? What role might Watney’s humorous outlook have in contributing to the success of his rescue? Use evidence from the text to support your ideas.