Book report literature series 2 - characters

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Book report: Literature 2

Objective: You understand the literary element "characters" and how to analyze this in your book. 

Planning:

• Last week's revision
• "Characterization"
• Book report information

Where should you be right now?

1. You have already chosen your book.

2. You know what should be included in your report.

3. You are starting with reading.

How far are you?

1. Need to choose the book
2. I have to get the book
3. I have the book
4. I have started reading

Literature Elements

Elements in Literature:

• Plot
• Characterization
• Irony & Symbolism
• Themes & Conflicts

Characters: Main and Supporting characters 

Characters

List the characters in your book:

- Who are the main characters?

- Who are the supporting characters?

- What can you say about them? Do they change in the book?

How to write your report?

STEP ONE

Research the author’s background/biography and other work as this can give insight into the author’s perspective and bias.

STEP TWO

Summarize the plot (story line). Identifying essential plot points (main problem/conflict, climax and resolution) will help you to analyze, interpret and explain the story.

STEP THREE

Identify the setting, i.e., when and where a story takes place.

STEP FOUR

Identify the narrator, who is telling the story? Is it one of the characters (first person narrator) or an omniscient, objective narrator (third person narrator)?

STEP FIVE

Focus on the characters. What are the characters’ main personality traits? What are the characters roles in the story? Is (s)he the hero? The bad guy? A secondary character? What is the character’s relationship to other characters?

STEP SIX

Identify literary devices: Symbols and Irony. Various literary devices help convey meaning or create a mood. Learn these most common literary devices.

STEP SEVEN

Identify the themes, the big ideas that authors comment on throughout in their book using tools such as context, setting and characters. 

Common themes are good vs. evil, human nature, religion, social structure, authority, coming-of-age, human rights, feminism, racism, war, education, sex, friendship, love, compassion, and death.

For next class:

1. Start reading your book!
2. Make notes as you read
3. Writing practice in class: Summarizing a story.