Ready Player One

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

1. Wade’s ultimate prize is complete control over the existence of the OASIS.

• Who would suffer more if Wade shut down the OASIS, the general public users or the corporate stakeholders? (topic sentence)
• Describe 2-3 consequences of a shutdown for your chosen entity.
• Conclude your essay with an explanation of the impact of these consequences.

2. Despite having all the same resources about Halliday and an army of Sixers at his disposal, Sorrento was still unable to beat Parzival.

• What is it about Wade/Parzival that allows him to triumph? (topic sentence)
• List 2-3 characteristics that give him an edge in the Hunt.
• Conclude your essay with an explanation of how these characteristics led Wade to victory.

3. Being gunters often dictates how the characters interact with one another.

• Which of the characters will experience the most change in their relationship now that the Contest is over? (topic sentence)
• List 2-3 elements of their relationship that will change.
• In your conclusion, explain how these changes have more impact on these characters than the others.

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. Wade has set his OASIS pass phrase to the saying, “No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.” What do you think Wade means by this phrase? Do you agree with this sentiment? Why or why not? Cite the text and provide real-world examples to help illustrate your argument.

2. Wade gets a fair amount of his income from product endorsements both in the real world and in the OASIS. Considering the High Five’s fight against the corporate greed of IOI throughout the novel, do you feel this revenue stream is hypocritical? Why or why not? Use events and information from the text to support your answer.

3. Privacy is a major concern both in the real world and in the OASIS. Choose an event in the novel where information was wielded as a weapon and compare and contrast the situation with an event in real life. Did the two situations play out in the same way? Were there any further ramifications of the event, such as a change in policy, damage to a relationship, or some other consequence?