Evaluating a novel

Your full name and number ___________________________________

ANAYLYZE QUALITY IN A NOVEL

Citation: _________________________________________________________________________

A. Before you read, assess the reliability.  Write a 100 – 200 word paragraph answering these questions:

Are there any companies or people who recommend the novel or the author? (Check the dustcover or back cover and copy recommendations and awards.)

Who is the author?    What is the background of the author? (Look at the inside of the back cover or the back cover itself.  Use your own general knowledge. Copy or use your own words.)

Who is the publisher?   What is the reputation of the publisher?

B. Before you read, assess the physical style of the book.  Write a 100-200 word paragraph answering these questions:

What is the size and style of the font? How big are the margins?  How much space is there between the lines?  Will your eyes be comfortable reading this book?

How long is the book?  Considering the size of the font and the number of pages in the book, do you have time to read it?

C. As you read the book, notice the quality of the language.  Copy at least 5 examples of each of these, including page numbers for each example:

– five senses details

– powerful words  

– alliteration

– assonance and consonance

– similes and metaphors and personification

– repetition and parallel structure

D. As you read the story, notice a positive value and how it is shown in the story: e.g. kindness, honesty, perseverance, hope, determination, empathy.   Write a 200 – 400 word paragraph with at least 3 examples, including page numbers, from the story.

E. After you read the story, tell how it relates to your own experiences or to issues in the world today. (Write a 200-400 word paragraph.

 [This page may be copied for use with students if the following credit is provided: ©2015 Sophie Rosen.]

 

 

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