The Cousins: Analytical Essay Prompts

These prompts are designed for close analysis of Karen M. McManus's The Cousins. Each prompt focuses on a specific element of the novel—character change, causality, relationships, contrasting scenes, themes, symbols, structure, foreshadowing, or the ending—and asks you to build an argument grounded in textual evidence. Use the linked theme and character pages to deepen your analysis, and always support your claims with specific chapters and scenes from the novel. The evidence leads below point to key moments you can cite, but they are starting points, not exhaustive lists. Choose the strongest evidence for your thesis and explain how it works in context. For a broader overview, see the main book page or the questions and answers. Each prompt includes a sample thesis direction to help you frame your own argument, but you should develop your own nuanced position rather than simply restating it. Remember to avoid plot summary and focus on analysis. Good luck!