Reading and reacting
Characters The protagonist the main character the good guy (the hero/heroine) the one that you, the reader, is most expected to identify with the protagonists weakness is called a Tragic Flaw The Tragic Flaw might make you laugh as is the case with films about Mr. Bean. The antagonist the enemy of the protagonist, the bad guy
The plot the plot of your book = the story your book tells usually develops as the result of a conflict or an event or series of events that need to be resolved
Seminar 1 Seminar 1 is going to deal with the plot and the characters in your book. In the next two slides you will find questions to consider while preparing the seminar Bring your notes to the seminar!
The plot questions to consider: What were your thoughts after reading the first chapter? What is the problem, or conflict in the novel? How would you sum up the events so far? Is there something about the reading that makes you confuse or even angry?
The characters questions to consider: What do they look like physically? What is their personal history? What kind of people are they? What personal qualities do they have? What are their strong and weak points? How do the characters deal with the events in your book? How do the characters grow and develop as the book progresses? My favourite character is because
The setting The historical time The geographical location Immediate surroundings What kind of society Could also include mood and music In short when and where Be sure to pay close attention as you read so that you can describe the setting of your book.
Language Everyday language? Slang words? Formal language? Difference between the describing parts and dialogue?
Seminar 2 Seminar 2 is going to deal with the setting and the language of your book. You are also to sum up the events of the book so far In the next two slides you will find questions to consider while preparing the seminar Bring your notes to the seminar!
The setting questions to consider: In what time period is the book set? Describe where the events take place. Does the setting affect the telling of the story? Does the setting affect how the characters develop or account for how the characters behave? Would your book be different if it were set in a different time period or in a different place? And if so, how? If not, why not?
Language questions to consider How does YOUR book use the language to tell the story? Is it told in first person (I, me), or in third (he, she)? How is the story crafted together? Is it told in chronological order? Does it use flashbacks? Think of the choice of words in your book. What does this tell you? And how does the choice of words affect your reaction to the story? Is the language simple? If so, how? Is the language complex? If so, how? Does the story use any poetic devices, such as, alliteration, similes, metaphors, rhymes? Why do you think the author wrote the way he/she did? (why did the author choose the words he/she chose?) How does the language in the book make you FEEL as you read the book?
Reacting Individual Evidence Examples from the text! PEE-paragraph Point - the main point you are making Evidence - evidence from the text Explanation - explanation of the point the writer is making
Finally, some reading strategies: To read for general understanding : Do not check up on all the vocabulary you don't understand! Search for Key words To read for specific information: For example when analyzing a character in the book
And at last: How to read a book you (may) not want to read!