English Literature
Name ___________________________
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
Title __________________________________________
Author ________________________________________
Date of Publication ______________________________
Genre _________________________________________
Significance of Opening Scene
Plot Summary (100-150 words):
Setting
English Literature
Name ___________________________
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
CHARACTERS
NAME
ROLE IN STORY
SIGNIFICANCE
ADJECTIVES
English Literature
Name ___________________________
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
Describe the author’s style (diction, detail, imagery,
syntax, tone, point-of-view)
An example that demonstrates the author’s style:
Memorable Quotes (10-15)
Quotes
Significance
English Literature
Name ___________________________
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
SYMBOLS
WHAT THE SYMBOLS REPRESENT
EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE TITLE
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ENDING/CLOSING SCENE
POSSIBLE THEMES-TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
CONFLICTS
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET RUBRIC
TITLE
SETTING
OPENING SCENE
PLOT SUMMARY
CHARACTERS
STYLE
STYLE EXAMPLE
QUOTES
SYMBOLS AND WHAT THEY
REPRESENT
MEANING OF TITLE
ENDING
THEMES
CONFLICTS
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
/5
/5
/5
/10
/10
/5
/5
/10
/5
TOTALS
/100
/10
/10
/5
/5
/10
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
A copy of the Major Works Data Sheet should be completed for each of the novels you read
this summer.
Setting--Students should include the time, era, place, location, weather, etc. of the novels and
include any changes.
Significance of Opening Scene--How does the author begin the story (characters introduced,
setting, etc.) and how does that help you understand the remainder of the storyline. (You may
need to read entire novel before answering.)
Plot Summary--Summarize the major events of the story. Prove that you have read the novel
and have not copied a summary from Spark Notes or a similar site.
Characters—Include all major characters throughout the novel and what makes them
important to the plot. Include at least 2-3 adjectives per character.
Author’s Style—Explain how the author uses one of the following styles to create meaning in
the story: diction, detail, imagery, syntax, tone, or point-of-view. Find an example of this
style. Note the page number and include a quoted passage.
Memorable Quotes—Find 10-15 quotes throughout the novel that exemplify the theme(s) of
the novel. Include page numbers for each quote. Explain why each quote is significant to the
theme(s).
Symbols—List 2-3 symbols used throughout the novel. (Example: In The Three Little Pigs, the
straw house symbolizes the weakness and laziness in that pig whereas the brick house
symbolizes the strength and wisdom of the third pig.) Explain what these symbols represent in
the story.
Explain the Meaning of the Title—How is the title representative of the novel?
Explain the Significance of the Ending(closing)—Did the final scene provide evidence of
change in the characters? Were you satisfied with the ending? Explain.
Possible Themes-Topics of Discussion—Find 2-3 themes in the novel. What lesson(s) can be
learned from the events of the story? (Example: In The Three Little Pigs, one theme could be
that hard work and planning pay off in the end.) Keep in mind that a theme is rarely stated in
just one word!
Conflicts—Describe different conflicts (internal and external) that are associated with the
protagonist.
Figurative Language—Find examples of at least three different literary devices (i.e. metaphor,
simile, personification, hyperbole, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, foreshadowing, or flashback).
Quote the example, page number, and type of figurative language.
(Example: “The day flew by.” pg. 52 personification)