Name _________________________ Date _______________ Period ______
Independent Reading Guide – Fiction
Book Title : __________________________________________________
Author: ______________________________________________________
Directions: Use the following questions to clarify your understanding of and
response to your independent reading. Reflect on each question before answering.
Elements of the Novel
1. Who is the protagonist – the main character – in the novel?
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2. What kind of person is the protagonist? Be sure to focus on the personality of
the character.
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3. What evidence in the text leads to this opinion of the protagonist? Be specific include direct quotes from the text.
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4. What challenge or conflict does the protagonist encounter?
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5. How is the conflict resolved?
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6. What other important characters are involved in the conflict?
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7. What is the setting of the novel?
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8. From what point of view is the story told? Who tells the story?
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9. What event do you believe to be the climax of the story?
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10. How would you describe the mood? How does the author establish the mood? Be
specific - include direct quotes from the text.
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11. State the theme of the novel.
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12. Find a sentence or short paragraph that strongly implies the theme? Be specific
- include direct quotes from the text.
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Response to the Novel
Directions: Rate this novel by circling the appropriate word.
13. The characters and dialogue are believable.
weak
fair
strong
14. The plot engages my interest.
weak
fair
strong
15. The novel is written in a style that is clear & interesting. weak
fair
strong
16. The details in this novel add to its appeal.
weak
fair
strong
17. Overall I rate this novel as
weak
fair
strong
Because
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Reader’s Response Journal
Directions: Answer one of the following questions in a well-written paragraph.
Please circle the letter of the question you choose to answer.
A. Is there a character in this novel that you had strong feelings about? Explain
your feelings. Does this character remind you of someone you know? If so, in
what way? Did your feelings about this character change as the story
progressed?
B. Is there one event in this novel that was surprising or confusing? If so, write
to the author expressing your thoughts. This should be a letter!
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