What to talk about

A BOOK WITH A STORY

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING ORDER, MAKE UP YOUR OWN SPEECH.

Duration: 5-7 minutes

YOUR OPINION EVERYWHERE, FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END AND GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR OPINION!

NEVER JUST LIST THINGS, EXPLAIN THEM!

THE AUTHOR AND THE TITLE

Who wrote the book? (but that's it, this is not a presentation of the author)

Why is the book called what it is? Does it have anything related to the story? (it may not, so then just say the title)

THE SETTING

Where and when does the story take place? Did it work for you? Was it written well, meaning did you feel you were there in the places with the characters?

Does the setting have importance in terms of the story or could the setting be any place?

Any other reasons why it made your reading experience interesting?

THE CHARACTERS

Who are the main characters? Where they well-written characters? Did they feel alive? Why/why not?

What are the relations between the characters and how did they show? (not just who was a couple or the parent of a someone, but how was it written and what kind of a relationship it was)

What are your feelings about the characters? Did you like them? Why/why not?

Can you identify with any of them? Why/why not?

Do the characters change in any way during the course of events? How?

THE STORY

Did it start well? Did it end well? Was it good all over or was there a point when you didn't care anymore?

Pay special attention to the highlights and turning points in the story and what you thought about them (but try not to spoil listeners).

What did you like in the story and why? (big things, small things)

What did you not like and why?

Did the story move on quickly, slowly, nicely, badly?

What did the story make you feel (did you cry, were you sad, happy, did you laugh?)

THE MESSAGE AND THEMES

Is there a message?

What do you think it is, what was the book trying to say?

What are the main themes of the book (love, friendship, work, family, etc) AND WHY (MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LIST THESE BUT TALK ABOUT HOW THEY COME OUT FROM THE STORY, WHO ARE THEY RELATED TO ETC.

THE LANGUAGE

Was it easy or difficult?

Was there a lot of dialogue or was it mainly narrative?

Was the language enjoyable?

Can you say anything about the style, how it was written?

ANYTHING ELSE YOU PAID ATTENTION TO?

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AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY/BIOGRAPHY (A PERSON, A BAND ETC.)

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING ORDER, MAKE UP YOUR OWN SPEECH.

Duration: 5-7 minutes

YOUR OPINION EVERYWHERE, FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END AND GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR OPINION!

NEVER JUST LIST THINGS, EXPLAIN THEM!

THE AUTHOR AND THE TITLE

Why did you choose this book?

Who wrote the book?

Why is the book called what it is? Does it mean anything related to the story? (it may not, so then just say the title)

THE STRUCTURE

How was the book written?

Was it easy to follow?

Did it go chronologically or did it jump in time?

Did the book move on quickly, slowly, nicely, badly?

Was it about the person/persons or was it just filled with facts?

How did the structure work for you as a reader?

Did it start well? Did it end well? Was it good all over or was there a point when you didn't care anymore?

Pay special attention to the highlights and turning points in the book and what you thought about them (but try not to spoil listeners).

What did you like/not like?

WHO / WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Are the events just things as a list or is there something that shows what the person/persons are like?

Did the person/persons change during their life? How?

Do you feel you now know who you read about or did the book leave unaswered questions? Yes, no, why?

What did the book make you feel; did you cry, did you laugh, were you sad, happy, ?