Reading a novel /Book analysis /9F 2025
What, when?
1) Select a fictional novel in English (minimum length 100 pages) either from the collection in class or from the library or any digital application you might have (or purchase from a bookstore with parents' permission).
The genre can be romance, fantasy, thriller/suspense, dystopian, crime/detective story, science fiction, mystery, action/adventure, historical fiction etc.
Tips: You might find books under the category "recommended for young adults" the most suitable for you.
2) Start looking for an interesting book right away and start reading it as soon as possible (especially if you are not accustomed to reading books in English or are not into reading in general.)
3) Make sure you have access to the book and can bring it to school to read in class during two lessons in mid-February.
4) Make sure to have finished the book by the end of March.
5) You will be asked to write your opinions about the book in class during two lessons in April.
The genre can be romance, fantasy, thriller/suspense, dystopian, crime/detective story, science fiction, mystery, action/adventure, historical fiction etc.
Tips: You might find books under the category "recommended for young adults" the most suitable for you.
2) Start looking for an interesting book right away and start reading it as soon as possible (especially if you are not accustomed to reading books in English or are not into reading in general.)
3) Make sure you have access to the book and can bring it to school to read in class during two lessons in mid-February.
4) Make sure to have finished the book by the end of March.
5) You will be asked to write your opinions about the book in class during two lessons in April.
While reading pay special attention to...
a) The characters: How are they portrayed? How do they act? What motivates them? Do they develop somehow as the story progresses? What is your personal reaction to the characters i.e. are they relatable, scary, mysterious, despicable etc.?
b) The setting and mood: Where and when do the events take place? How is the setting described? Is the setting an important part of the book? What kind of details contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the story?
c) The main theme(s) /message of the book. To what purpose was this book written (eg. purely for entertainment or to enlighten readers on some specific issues /persuade readers to understand or look at something from a different perspective)
d) IMPORTANT! Your personal reading experience i.e. the impact the book has on you and the reactions (thoughts and feelings) that it evokes in you. Is it a good/quick read or not and why so?
e) Regarding the plot: How would you VERY BRIEFLY summarise the basic plot? When summarising the plot, can you identify the following three plot points and describe the plot with the help of them? (NB. This might not be applicable to all books) 1) What is the "main problem" ie. "conflict" in the story that the character(s) set(s) out to solve? 2) What is the "climax" of the story i.e. the hight point of action where the problem/conflict could either be resolved or for example, cause a character's downfall? 3) What is the final resolution i.e. how is the problem resolved and how does the book end? (Or does the author leave you "hanging", giving the reader a chance to make their own interpretations of what actually happens or will happen to the characters in the end?)
f) Narration and language: How does it feel to read a book in English? Is the language easy or difficult to understand? Can you read/understand the book without resorting to a dictionary? Who is the narrator of the story i.e. from whose perspective is the story being told? Is there a lot of descriptive narration or a lot of dialogue between the characters or both? Are you reading standard formal English or informal/vernacular English or both? Can you tell in which variety of English the book has been written (eg. American, British, Australian etc.)?
b) The setting and mood: Where and when do the events take place? How is the setting described? Is the setting an important part of the book? What kind of details contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the story?
c) The main theme(s) /message of the book. To what purpose was this book written (eg. purely for entertainment or to enlighten readers on some specific issues /persuade readers to understand or look at something from a different perspective)
d) IMPORTANT! Your personal reading experience i.e. the impact the book has on you and the reactions (thoughts and feelings) that it evokes in you. Is it a good/quick read or not and why so?
e) Regarding the plot: How would you VERY BRIEFLY summarise the basic plot? When summarising the plot, can you identify the following three plot points and describe the plot with the help of them? (NB. This might not be applicable to all books) 1) What is the "main problem" ie. "conflict" in the story that the character(s) set(s) out to solve? 2) What is the "climax" of the story i.e. the hight point of action where the problem/conflict could either be resolved or for example, cause a character's downfall? 3) What is the final resolution i.e. how is the problem resolved and how does the book end? (Or does the author leave you "hanging", giving the reader a chance to make their own interpretations of what actually happens or will happen to the characters in the end?)
f) Narration and language: How does it feel to read a book in English? Is the language easy or difficult to understand? Can you read/understand the book without resorting to a dictionary? Who is the narrator of the story i.e. from whose perspective is the story being told? Is there a lot of descriptive narration or a lot of dialogue between the characters or both? Are you reading standard formal English or informal/vernacular English or both? Can you tell in which variety of English the book has been written (eg. American, British, Australian etc.)?