An Inconvenient Truth

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 text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the book, Gore intertwines his personal experience with a call for political action.

• How does Gore use this strategy to illustrate that, in relation to global warning, The Personal is Political? (topic sentence)
• Identify three examples in which Gore makes the Personal Political in his book.
• Do you find the book’s narrative style compelling? Why or why not?

2. One of the pervasive themes of the book is that climate change is a Moral Issue.

• How are morality and global warming linked for Gore? (topic sentence)
• Find three examples in which Gore touches on the link between morality and global warming.
• Is action on climate change perceived by politicians to be a moral imperative? Why or why not?

3. While identifying the grave dangers of global warming, Gore also identifies opportunities for technological advancement to curb climate change.

• Is global warming more of a Danger to society or an Opportunity for change? (topic sentence)
• Find three examples to substantiate your point.
• Does Gore believe these opportunities will be sufficient to offset the danger? Why or why not?

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 the title of this book: An Inconvenient Truth. What is the “truth”? Who is the truth inconvenient for? Now, consider the content of this book from the vantage point of the present. Do you believe that this truth is still inconvenient? If so, why?

2. Consider Gore’s use of persuasive appeals throughout the book, specifically pathos (i.e., appeals based on emotion), ethos (i.e., appeals based on the author’s own character or credibility) and logos (i.e., appeals based on logic). How does Gore use each of the three types of appeals? Do you find that Gore uses one type more than the other? Overall, does his use of persuasive appeals help his argument? Why or why not?