How to Complete the Major Works Data Sheet
Genre: autobiography, memoir, journey or quest, bildungsroman, social realism, courtroom
drama, biographical drama
Characteristics of the selected genre: Do some research to identify these characteristics
before you list or discuss them.
Point of View: First-person, Third-person, Omniscient
Plot Summary Outline: Limit yourself to the allotted space. Write two complete sentences
for each sub-topic. Be concise; choose your words carefully.
Author’s biographical information: choose items that helped shape the author and
influence his or her writing
Historical information about period of publication: choose items that influenced the
author’s writing. This is NOT about the time period in which the novel is set…unless that is
relevant to the big picture (but still consider publication date for context of those choices)
Characters: Describe the protagonist (main character) and antagonist (opposing character)
in this work. Then describe two other memorable characters in this work. Be complete and
concise; choose your words carefully
Memorable Quotes: Choose quotes that, when put together, illustrate the essence of your
reading.
MLA cite each quote and identify its speaker.
Literary Techniques: Choose quotes that effectively illustrate at least one literary technique.
MLA cite each quote and identify its speaker.
Setting: Describe the time and place of this literary work.
Mood: Describe the atmosphere or emotional condition created in you by this piece of
literature.
Symbols: This is not something literal. It is figurative; it must stand for or represent something
else.
Themes: Remember to state your themes as complete sentences that describe a life lesson
you learned from reading the book. The theme you state must include a topic and your opinion
about that topic.
Opening Scene Significance: Why did the author choose to begin the book this way, and
what is the importance of this scene?
Closing Scene Significance: Why did the author choose to end the book this way, and what
is the importance of this scene?