Speed-the-Plow | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1

1. Explain Gould's position at the film company.

2. How does Gould describe the movies he now has to produce?

3. What issue does Gould seem to be debating within himself at the beginning of Act One?

4. Even though it is his job to greenlight films, Gould is upset when he feels this is why Fox has come to visit him. Why?

5. Explain the irony of the secretary who does not know how to complete the simplest tasks. What does this represent?