Here it is! The long awaited long form for your winter readings.
THE AUTHOR AND HER/HIS TIME: When was he/she born and when did s/he die? Biographical background that would help in the understanding of the work. Important family, community, national and world events that influenced the author and the work in question. Other artistic or literary influences, critical response and literary standing during life time and posthumously.
FORM, STRUCTURE AND PLOT: How is the novel organized? What is the length? The chapters? Discuss techniques used by the writer such as the use of flashbacks, dream sequences, stream of consciousness, chronological order of events, foreshadowing, parallel events, multiple, complex or simple plot. Is it an epistolary novel (written in the form of a series of letters; for example, THE COLOR PURPLE)? Is it in a framework of some sort? How much time is covered? Compare and contrast the beginning and ending of the novel.
POINT OF VIEW: (Narrative Perspective) Is the novel written from first person ("I") or second person ("you" - which is very rare), or third person (he/she)? Is it a reminiscence or recent perspective written in the present tense or in the past tense? If in the first person, is s/he the protagonist or an observer (as in THE GREAT GATSBY)? If in third, is he/she omniscient (knowing everything), limited (knowing what only one character is thinking) or objective (no subjective commentary by the narrator, but limited perspective - again, we know what one character is thinking)? Are there any shifts in point of view during the novel? Shifts may come from the changed view of the narrator or from different narrators (as in THE POISONWOOD BIBLE). What affect does the author achieve with point of view and what seems to be her/his purpose?
CHARACTERS: General comments. Are the characters flat or round? Static or dynamic? Believable? How are they revealed? How complex? How many characters are there? Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist? What is the role of the minor characters? Describe four to six characters, including their names, the ages, three descriptive adjectives; discuss the appearance of the characters, personality, function in the novel, significance of name - if any; a key quote that reveals the character with an explanation of what the quote reveals.
SETTING: Where and when does the novel occur? How is the environment described? Any symbolic meaning in the setting? How does the author use the setting? What ATMOSPHERE is created by the setting? How important is the setting to the novel?
DICTION: Analyze the author's word choice. First, discuss the work in general; is the diction informal, formal, neutral, colloquial? Explain and give an example. Does the author use much imagery? Metaphoric and/or ironic devices? Is the language plain and not adorned with figurative language? Is the language flowery (think Poe)? Is it concise (think Hemingway)? Strong or lyrical? Does the diction indicate social status, education, region? How much dialogue is used? How different is the dialogue from the narrative voice? How distinct is the dialogue from character to character? SELECT THREE
PASSAGES (minimum: approximately one-half page) featuring different plot segments. Copy the segments verbatim and include in your report. Then closely discuss, specifically, the diction. Comment on how the diction defines the character, sets the tone, and furthers the theme.
SYNTAX: (Word pattern and order) Analysis of sentence and phrase patterns.
Make some general observations. Are the sentences predominately simple or complex? What about length? Level of formality? Any fragments? Rhetorical questions? Parallel structure? Repetitions? Are sentences generally loose, periodic, balanced? Is there a great deal of variety in the sentence structure? How does the author use syntax to create rhythm and flow of the language? How does the author use syntax to enhance the effect and support the meaning?
Using one of the same passages from the diction section, focus on the author's syntax. What effect is s/he creating? Comment on how these choices help define the characters, set the tone, and further the theme.
CONCRETE DETAIL/IMAGERY: Words or phrases that appeal to the five senses - most commonly visual. Look for recurrent images. What function does the imagery seem to have? Use direct quotations from the text to support your observations.
SYMBOLISM: When an object is used to suggest complex or multiple meanings (for example: hawk for war; dove for peace; swan for beauty) then it becomes a symbol. Is the novel highly symbolic? Allegorical? Identify the images that are used as symbols. What effect does the symbolism seem to serve in revealing character, furthering the theme? Use direct quotations to support your observations and then comment on the quotations and explain how they are being used by the author.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (tropes): Language that is not literal. Metaphorical devices link meaning; most common tropes are metaphorical, simile, personification, and allusion. Give examples. How often is it used? What effect does the figurative language have on the novel as a whole?
IRONIC DEVICES: Irony adds extra dimensions to meaning; sets up special understanding between writer and reader. Most common ironic devices are VERBAL, SITUATIONAL, DRAMATIC, PARADOX, OXYMORON, EUPHEMISM, HYPERBOLE, and UNDERSTATEMENT. Identify examples; how are they used, and how often? How does the author use ironic devices throughout the novel?
TONE: Author's attitude toward subject, characters and reader. The tone can be playful, serious, angry, ironic, formal, somber, satiric, etc. Generally, the author uses a limited variety of tones, often two or three complementary ones. Discuss the book's tone and observe how the author creates the tone through plot, diction, syntax, imagery, figurative devices. Use direct quotations from text to support observations.
THEME: The theme refers to the book's controlling idea or central insight. Identify the book's central theme. Identify any prominent secondary theme. Express as statement with subject and predicate, not as a single word (for example: love or loyalty is not a theme; however, "in order to love another, one must first love oneself" could be a theme - or a subject of a self-help book.) Identify any motifs you notice in the book. A MOTIF could be a recurring character, a recurring image or a verbal pattern. Discuss the author's intentions.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE: Comment on the book's title. What message does the author want to convey with the title? Does the meaning of the title change for the reader after s/he has read the book?
MEMORABLE QUOTE: About five passages, sentences or fragments that capture the essence of the story and style. Discuss the significance to the work.
RESEARCH/LITERARY QUOTES: Read at least two critiques or literary reviews. Be sure these come from substantial, respected sources such as the NEW YORK TIMES, not from CLIFFNOTES or some guy from the internet who thinks he knows what he's talking about. Read, digest and then write a short summary of what you gained from the reading. Please note that you are summarizing your reaction to the article. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Include as an attachment to the bibliography a copy of each article that shows your highlighting, marginalia, notes, etc.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Did you enjoy the work? Why or why not? Strengths? Weaknesses? Lingering questions you may have about the work? Does it relate to other works you have read? Did you gain any insight into the world or human nature? Do you think this book may have a lasting impact on you?
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Attach the bibliography of any outside source you used.
THE AUTHOR AND HER/HIS TIME: When was he/she born and when did s/he die? Biographical background that would help in the understanding of the work. Important family, community, national and world events that influenced the author and the work in question. Other artistic or literary influences, critical response and literary standing during life time and posthumously.
FORM, STRUCTURE AND PLOT: How is the novel organized? What is the length? The chapters? Discuss techniques used by the writer such as the use of flashbacks, dream sequences, stream of consciousness, chronological order of events, foreshadowing, parallel events, multiple, complex or simple plot. Is it an epistolary novel (written in the form of a series of letters; for example, THE COLOR PURPLE)? Is it in a framework of some sort? How much time is covered? Compare and contrast the beginning and ending of the novel.
POINT OF VIEW: (Narrative Perspective) Is the novel written from first person ("I") or second person ("you" - which is very rare), or third person (he/she)? Is it a reminiscence or recent perspective written in the present tense or in the past tense? If in the first person, is s/he the protagonist or an observer (as in THE GREAT GATSBY)? If in third, is he/she omniscient (knowing everything), limited (knowing what only one character is thinking) or objective (no subjective commentary by the narrator, but limited perspective - again, we know what one character is thinking)? Are there any shifts in point of view during the novel? Shifts may come from the changed view of the narrator or from different narrators (as in THE POISONWOOD BIBLE). What affect does the author achieve with point of view and what seems to be her/his purpose?
CHARACTERS: General comments. Are the characters flat or round? Static or dynamic? Believable? How are they revealed? How complex? How many characters are there? Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist? What is the role of the minor characters? Describe four to six characters, including their names, the ages, three descriptive adjectives; discuss the appearance of the characters, personality, function in the novel, significance of name - if any; a key quote that reveals the character with an explanation of what the quote reveals.
SETTING: Where and when does the novel occur? How is the environment described? Any symbolic meaning in the setting? How does the author use the setting? What ATMOSPHERE is created by the setting? How important is the setting to the novel?
DICTION: Analyze the author's word choice. First, discuss the work in general; is the diction informal, formal, neutral, colloquial? Explain and give an example. Does the author use much imagery? Metaphoric and/or ironic devices? Is the language plain and not adorned with figurative language? Is the language flowery (think Poe)? Is it concise (think Hemingway)? Strong or lyrical? Does the diction indicate social status, education, region? How much dialogue is used? How different is the dialogue from the narrative voice? How distinct is the dialogue from character to character? SELECT THREE
PASSAGES (minimum: approximately one-half page) featuring different plot segments. Copy the segments verbatim and include in your report. Then closely discuss, specifically, the diction. Comment on how the diction defines the character, sets the tone, and furthers the theme.
SYNTAX: (Word pattern and order) Analysis of sentence and phrase patterns.
Make some general observations. Are the sentences predominately simple or complex? What about length? Level of formality? Any fragments? Rhetorical questions? Parallel structure? Repetitions? Are sentences generally loose, periodic, balanced? Is there a great deal of variety in the sentence structure? How does the author use syntax to create rhythm and flow of the language? How does the author use syntax to enhance the effect and support the meaning?
Using one of the same passages from the diction section, focus on the author's syntax. What effect is s/he creating? Comment on how these choices help define the characters, set the tone, and further the theme.
CONCRETE DETAIL/IMAGERY: Words or phrases that appeal to the five senses - most commonly visual. Look for recurrent images. What function does the imagery seem to have? Use direct quotations from the text to support your observations.
SYMBOLISM: When an object is used to suggest complex or multiple meanings (for example: hawk for war; dove for peace; swan for beauty) then it becomes a symbol. Is the novel highly symbolic? Allegorical? Identify the images that are used as symbols. What effect does the symbolism seem to serve in revealing character, furthering the theme? Use direct quotations to support your observations and then comment on the quotations and explain how they are being used by the author.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (tropes): Language that is not literal. Metaphorical devices link meaning; most common tropes are metaphorical, simile, personification, and allusion. Give examples. How often is it used? What effect does the figurative language have on the novel as a whole?
IRONIC DEVICES: Irony adds extra dimensions to meaning; sets up special understanding between writer and reader. Most common ironic devices are VERBAL, SITUATIONAL, DRAMATIC, PARADOX, OXYMORON, EUPHEMISM, HYPERBOLE, and UNDERSTATEMENT. Identify examples; how are they used, and how often? How does the author use ironic devices throughout the novel?
TONE: Author's attitude toward subject, characters and reader. The tone can be playful, serious, angry, ironic, formal, somber, satiric, etc. Generally, the author uses a limited variety of tones, often two or three complementary ones. Discuss the book's tone and observe how the author creates the tone through plot, diction, syntax, imagery, figurative devices. Use direct quotations from text to support observations.
THEME: The theme refers to the book's controlling idea or central insight. Identify the book's central theme. Identify any prominent secondary theme. Express as statement with subject and predicate, not as a single word (for example: love or loyalty is not a theme; however, "in order to love another, one must first love oneself" could be a theme - or a subject of a self-help book.) Identify any motifs you notice in the book. A MOTIF could be a recurring character, a recurring image or a verbal pattern. Discuss the author's intentions.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE: Comment on the book's title. What message does the author want to convey with the title? Does the meaning of the title change for the reader after s/he has read the book?
MEMORABLE QUOTE: About five passages, sentences or fragments that capture the essence of the story and style. Discuss the significance to the work.
RESEARCH/LITERARY QUOTES: Read at least two critiques or literary reviews. Be sure these come from substantial, respected sources such as the NEW YORK TIMES, not from CLIFFNOTES or some guy from the internet who thinks he knows what he's talking about. Read, digest and then write a short summary of what you gained from the reading. Please note that you are summarizing your reaction to the article. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Include as an attachment to the bibliography a copy of each article that shows your highlighting, marginalia, notes, etc.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Did you enjoy the work? Why or why not? Strengths? Weaknesses? Lingering questions you may have about the work? Does it relate to other works you have read? Did you gain any insight into the world or human nature? Do you think this book may have a lasting impact on you?
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Attach the bibliography of any outside source you used.
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