NOVEL REFLECTION
Follow Due Dates for Each Section
(adapted from original)
You will do the following assignment for a novel of your choice. Your novel must be approved by
me and your parent/guardian. Look for a novel with some “substance” that is at least 200 pages.
Type out the following and label the sections. Use Times Roman 12 or comparable in font size and
readability. Double space.
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE: 135
YOU MUST ADHERE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS TO RECEIVE FULL CREDIT.
BOOK CHOICE AND PERMISSION SLIP (10 POINTS)
DUE: Tuesday, January 13
I. WRITING STYLE
Analyze the author’s writing style by answering the following questions (be sure to label
appropriately):
A. Diction (1 page) 15 points
DUE: Wednesday, January 21
Choose a page with exceptional descriptive detail. Include the page number. Type out the verbs,
adverbs and details (phrases, other words) you discuss.
Verbs
Give 3 examples of some of the most effective action verbs and explain how each contributes
to the book’s style and readability.
Adverbs
How many adverbs appear? Could the passage have been written without them? EXPLAIN
why or why not; for example, are there stronger verb choices that could eliminate the adverb?
How many “to be” verbs and passive voice examples are there? How does this affect the
description?
Details
Explain which techniques appear (for example, sensory words, imagery, specific detail, strong
verbs, specific nouns, surprising word choice, similes, metaphors) and how it creates a picture
in the reader’s mind. You might discuss this by comparing how much less effective the
passage would be without these details.
B. Syntax (1/2 a page) 10 points
DUE: Tuesday, January 27
Choose a page in the novel that does not include dialogue or has only one or two lines of
dialogue and then:
Give the total number of sentences on the page
Give the average word count per sentence on that page.
Give the number of words in the longest sentence and in the shortest sentence.
Give the total number of each type of sentence:
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound/complex
Fragment (including interjections)
Give the total number of sentences starting with each type of beginning:
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Prepositional phrase
Adverb
Article (the, an, a)
Write: How does the sentence structure add to the readability of the passage?
C. Organization (1 page) 10 points
DUE: Tuesday, January 27
Identify the point of view and explain its overall effect on the novel. Explain why you think it is or
is not a good choice for this novel. Use at least one passage from the novel to support your
answer.
Explain how the novel would read differently were it written in another point of view. Be specific,
using at least 2 quotes, details, or events from the novel.
Point out where any of the following appear and explain how the writer uses them and the effect
of their use on the overall novel:
flashback
foreshadowing
cliff-hanger (or other “page-turner” techniques)
II. Character (one page) 30 points
DUE: Thursday, February 5
Follow this outline:
Paragraph 1: Describe the personality of the main character so far, in great detail.
Paragraph 2: Explain how the author develops the main character through one or two
carefully chosen quotes, events, or details from the novel and explain how these examples
bring out the character’s personality.
Paragraph 3: Choose one or two different quotes, events, or details from the book and
repeat the steps from paragraph 2.
III. Symbolism (1/2 page) 10 points
DUE: Tuesday, February 10
Find a symbol from the novel. It may be an object, color, or even character. Analyze the meaning
of the symbol:
Explain what the symbol means.
Explain why the symbol means what it means. Show how this meaning comes out of the story
by including at least one or two quotes, events, or details.
IV. Theme (1-2 pages) 40 points
DUE: Thursday, February 19
Follow this outline:
Paragraph 1: Briefly introduce the story detailing main characters and events. Explain how
they (characters and/or events) bring out at theme of the story.
Paragraph 2: Choose a quote, event, or detail from the book that illustrates the theme. Give
necessary background information, and then analyze how that quote, event, or detail show
the theme effectively.
Paragraph 3: Choose a different quote, event, or detail from the book and repeat the steps
from paragraph 2.
Paragraph 4: Conclude by reminding the reader of your main point. In this case, you will
review what the theme of the story is and how the quotes, events, or details you analyzed
illustrate that theme. Then, take the theme you discussed and do something with it to finish
“with a bang.” You might apply it to the modern world, to a specific current even, or to the
reader in general.
V. Plot (one page) 10 points
DUE: Tuesday, February 24
Type out the plot diagram in label/outline form, writing out where the novel falls on the diagram and
explaining your choices.